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Will You Be the One?

Will You Be the One?

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Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 4 – 6 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Acts 1 – 3; Psalms 71 – 75; Proverbs 15)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 121

Read the “0815 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from this passage – “Catching Men”, “Fallow Ground,“ and “Old Paths.

“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it.” (Jer 5:1)

Here is a brief summary of Jeremiah 4-6

Chapter 4 Urgent call to repentance mixed with vivid warnings of invasion. The people are told to circumcise their hearts, put away abominations, and return to the Lord. Otherwise a destroyer from the north (described as a lion, a scorching wind, and an army) will lay the land desolate. Jeremiah expresses deep personal anguish over the coming catastrophe. The chapter ends with the land in mourning and the people still refusing to turn.

Chapter 5 The thorough corruption of the people. God challenges Jeremiah to find even one just and truth-seeking man in Jerusalem so that He might pardon the city—none is found. The people have broken the yoke, refused correction, and sworn falsely. Both rich and poor, prophets and priests, are corrupt. They commit adultery (literal and spiritual), oppress the needy, and love the false messages of peace. Because they have eyes but do not see and ears but do not hear, judgment is certain.

Chapter 6 Final warnings and the diagnosis of reprobate silver. The people are told to flee for safety; the enemy is already advancing. From the least to the greatest they are given to covetousness; prophets and priests deal falsely and cry “Peace, peace” when there is no peace. God has set watchmen and called them to the old paths, but they refuse. They are like reprobate silver that cannot be refined—therefore the Lord rejects them.

Specific sins that revealed their spiritual condition

These chapters repeatedly expose the heart of the problem:

  • Forsaking the Lord for idols — abandoning “the fountain of living waters” for broken cisterns; going after Baal and other gods (2:13, 20–25, 27–28).
  • Spiritual (and often literal) adultery / harlotry — treating their covenant with God as lightly as a wife who seeks many lovers and pollutes the land (2:20; 3:1–9; 5:7–8).
  • Stubborn refusal to repent or return — stiff necks, hard hearts, eyes that will not see, ears that will not hear (2:30; 3:10; 4:4; 5:3, 21–23; 6:16–17).
  • Self-deception and false security — claiming “I am not polluted… I have not gone after Baalim,” or trusting in the temple and empty ritual while living in sin; crying “Peace, peace” when judgment is near (2:23, 35; 6:14; 7 will develop the temple theme further).
  • Corrupt leadership — priests who do not ask “Where is the Lord?”, shepherds who transgress, prophets who prophesy by Baal or falsely promise peace, and people who love to have it so (2:8; 5:30–31; 6:13–14).
  • Social injustice and moral breakdown — oppression of the poor, fatherless, and needy; greed for gain from the least to the greatest; widespread lying, swearing falsely, and adultery (5:26–28; 6:13).
  • Rejection of God’s word and the “old paths” — refusing to walk in the good way God had shown them (6:16–19).

In short, the early chapters of Jeremiah paint a nation that still had the outward forms of religion but had abandoned the living God, refused genuine repentance, and preferred comfortable lies over the hard truth. The coming judgment from the north is presented as the just and certain consequence of that spiritual condition—yet the repeated call to “return” shows that God’s heart was still open if they would truly turn.

Now, let me give you my devotional thought for the day.

In these chapters God continues His urgent call for Judah to repent. Invasion from the north is coming. The land will be laid waste. Yet even in the midst of the warning, the Lord makes an astonishing offer: if Jeremiah can find just one man in Jerusalem who practices justice and truly seeks the truth, God will pardon the entire city.

The search failed. No such man was found. The people had forsaken the Lord for idols, treated their covenant with God as lightly as an unfaithful spouse, refused to repent, and preferred the comfortable lie of “Peace, peace” over the hard truth. From the least to the greatest they were given to covetousness. Prophets and priests dealt falsely, and the people loved to have it so. Outward religion remained, but the living God had been abandoned.

The same search continues in our day. God is still looking for men and women who will execute judgment and seek the truth—people marked by integrity, who refuse the comfortable lie, and who are wholly committed to Him.

In the 1870s, British evangelist Henry Varley spoke words that lodged deep in the heart of a young D. L. Moody: “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man fully consecrated to Him.” Moody never forgot them. He later told Varley that as he crossed the Atlantic the boards of the ship’s deck seemed engraved with those words, and when he reached Chicago the very paving stones appeared marked with the same sentence. Moody’s quiet resolve was simple and life-altering: “By God’s help, I aim to be that man.”

The question Jeremiah’s challenge and Moody’s resolve press upon us is the same:

Will you be the one?

Will you be the man or woman in your home, your church, your workplace, or your community who truly seeks the truth and lives it? Will you be the one fully consecrated to the Lord—available for Him to use in whatever way He chooses?

God is still searching the streets and broad places. He is still looking for that one.

Will you be the one?

 

Turn Around

Turn Around

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Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 1 – 3 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – John 21; Psalms 66 – 70; Proverbs 14)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Psalm 119:105

Read the “0814 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Brief chapter summaries

Chapter 1 Jeremiah’s call and commission. God chooses him before birth, appoints him a prophet to the nations, and overcomes his sense of youth and inadequacy. Two visions confirm the message: the almond branch (God is watching over His word to perform it) and the boiling pot facing north (judgment is coming from the north). Jeremiah is set as a fortified city against kings, priests, and people; they will fight him but not prevail because God is with him.

Chapter 2 God’s indictment of Judah’s apostasy. He recalls their early devotion (as a young bride following Him in the wilderness) and contrasts it with their present forsaking of Him, “the fountain of living waters,” for broken cisterns that can hold no water. They have exchanged their glory for that which does not profit, gone after Baal, and polluted the land. Leaders (priests, shepherds/pastors, prophets) have failed. The people claim innocence while practicing idolatry and trusting in foreign alliances and false gods.

Chapter 3 Spiritual adultery and the call to return. Judah is portrayed as an unfaithful wife who has played the harlot with many lovers. Northern Israel had already been put away for her adultery, yet Judah saw it and became even more treacherous. God still invites them: “Return, ye backsliding children… for I am married unto you.” He promises restoration, shepherds after His own heart, and a future in which Judah and Israel will be reunited under one leadership—if they truly return.

Before I share the my main thought from the Scripture this morning, I just wanted to point out from the passage that the writer, Jeremiah, was a hand made child of God that was uniquely designed by Him to be a prophet to Israel and Judah. (see Jeremiah 1:4 – 6) God has also made you and and I, and wants to use us in a special way to fellowship with Him, glorify Him, and fulfill His plan for the ages. We are not here by accident. We were specially created the way we are on purpose, and for a purpose.

Now for today’s main thought:

“They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 3:1)

Throughout the history of Israel, the people of God have gone through periods where they would fall away from God. Here in this passage the word “backsliding” is used seven times. Here in this passage Jeremiah is pleading with the backsliding people of Israel to come back to the Lord. Our God is awesome! Who else but God would love these people and keep taking them back, even though they would turn against Him over and over. He never gives up on His children. I must confess that I have a tough time forgiving people in the same way that God has forgiven me. I want to write people off; but God is not like me. He continues to reach out to those who have forsaken Him. Notice what God required of the people in order for them to come back into a right relationship with Him:

“Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 3:13)

“Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion:” (Jeremiah 3:14)

God says that if the people would acknowledge their sin, and then turn, He would take them back. Turning means that they would put away all of the things that they were doing that God was displeased with. This is a pretty good definition of repentance, which involves more than just acknowledging.

The people of God today could follow this same simple formula in order to come back to their God. We must acknowledge where we have gone wrong. It may not be some deep sin or rebellion. It may be just apathy, coldness, or laziness. Then we have to confess it to God and turn away from it. God loves us deeply and wants more than anything for us to be in love with Him. If you have “slidden” away from God, return again to the Lord.

Different by Design: God’s Call to Holiness

Different by Design: God’s Call to Holiness

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Listen to today’s passage – Leviticus 19 – 21

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Leviticus 19

Second Milers also read – John 13 – 14; Proverbs 10; Psalms 51 – 55

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 34:1 – 4

Read the “0210 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself“

“Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” – (Leviticus 19:2)

“And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” – (Leviticus 20:26)

In today’s reading from Leviticus, we see God’s intention for there to be a difference in the people of Israel from the world that surrounded them; or actually, would surround them when they finally entered into the land of Canaan where God was bringing them. God warns them not to be like the people of the land. God was removing them (the Canaanites, etc.) from the land because of their sinful lifestyles. God’s people would have to be different, or God would expel them out of the land as well.

In the three chapters that we have read today there are many different commandments from the Lord regarding how they were to be a holy people, set apart from the rest of the world. I will not take the time to deal with all of them, but I will mention a few here in this devotion. Think about the world we live in today as we examine these thoughts; and see if we, as Christians, are as “set apart” as we should be. Let’s take a quick look at how the children of Israel were to be different:

  • They were to be different morally.

Much of chapter 20 deals with sexual sins such as adultery, homosexuality, and even bestiality. God says that the previous inhabitants of the land were all guilty of these things. The people in our world today are also very perverted in their ability to live morally pure lives. We live in an era where cultural messages increasingly normalize behaviors the Bible clearly calls sin, from casual hookups to redefining God’s design for sexuality. Yet God’s people are called to pursue purity in a world that celebrates ‘freedom’ at any cost.

  • They were to be different in their compassion for others.

They were to make provisions in their crops for the poor and the stranger. God reminds them that they were strangers at one time. He wanted them to leave the corners of their fields, and the gleanings for people who needed help. How concerned are we today about helping people? Many of us have been blessed by God with abundance. God wants us to share part of that blessing with others. I think the key here is that God wants us to remember that it all comes from him anyway. We are often like the kid who was eating with his dad at McDonalds. When his dad reached for a french fry out of his son’s meal, the son pulled them away. Not very wise considering the dad supplied the meal in the first place, and would be the supplier of many future meals.

I have to pause here and say that God’s people are typically very generous, especially when there is a need presented to them. There have been many cases at our church where people found out that a family was struggling financially and they stepped up to do what they could to help.

  • They were also to be different in their faith.

The people of the land were very superstitious. They worshipped all kinds of “gods” and idols. Some were even guilty of sacrificing their own children. God wanted the people of Israel to stay far away from all of that stuff. No wizards; no witches; no familiar spirits; no divination; no astrologers; no soothsayers; none of that junk. God wants his children to be wholly dependent upon Him; and He does not want to share His glory; or His worship with anybody, or anything else.

Today’s idols may not be stone statues, but they’re just as real: careers that consume us, screens that demand our attention, comfort we refuse to sacrifice, or even our own opinions elevated above God’s Word. They may not be little statues, but they are there none the less. An idol is anything that comes between us and God.

  • They were to be different in their respect for the older folks.

I think that we are getting away from this in our world as well. There used to be a time in America when Granddad and Grandma were the patriarchs and matriarchs of the family. They were deeply revered and respected by their children and grandchildren. It isn’t like that any more; but we need to get back to it. Today, even young children will mock their elders, and answer back to them. Christian parents need to be very careful that they do not tolerate such behavior in their children. This will become increasingly important in our American culture as the Baby Boomers, a large segment of our population, continues to age.

  • They were to be different in their business dealings.

They were to be fair and honest with people; never cheating them with unjust balances and such. The world today is replete with people who will are trying to steal money away from others. There are myriads of scams out their designed to rob others. God’s people should never be involved in any business dealing that is not providing a good product or service at a fair price.

These were just a few thoughts from the passage. There are many more examples contained in the text. But how do we fare today in this present world that we live in? Are we any different from them? Or are we just like them with the exception of the “fish emblems” on our cars. As time goes by, there ought to be more and more of a striking difference between God’s people and the people of this world. Just a thought.

And, just in case you thought holiness was just an Old Testament principle, consider what Peter said:

“13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Pet 1:13–16)

Lord, help us to be truly set apart—not in pride, but in humble obedience to You.

May our lives reflect Your holiness more each day. Amen.

Wait… What!? – Three Surprising Lessons from Moses’ Call in Exodus 4–6

Wait… What!? – Three Surprising Lessons from Moses’ Call in Exodus 4–6

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Listen to today’s passage – Exodus 4 – 6 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 4

(Second Milers also read – Mark 13 – 14; Proverbs 21; Psalms 101 – 105

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – 1 John 4:7 & 8

Read previous posts from this passage – “Expect Opposition,“ and “What’s Your Excuse?”

Read the “0121 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

I don’t know how many times I have said those words to myself while reading this book. Exodus is fascinating. It is full of unbelievable stories played out by some very interesting characters. If you read the Book of Exodus like a novel that you’re interested in, and not just out of good Christian duty, it really brings the stories and characters to life.

The main character of Exodus is Moses, and the first few chapters really give an insight into God developing him first as a believer, then as a leader. 

In Chapter 3, God tells Moses that He is going to do something big, and that Moses is the man He has chosen to do it through. This came as a shock to Moses. By this time, Moses was already getting up there in years, and was probably pretty set in his ways with a good life. What God was asking him to do now was going to change everything. 

In Chapter 4, God begins to teach Moses some things that I believe we can learn from:

  1. If God asks you to do something for Him, He will give you everything you need.

“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee…” (Exodus 3:12a)

“And the LORD said unto him, What is in thine hand? And he said, A rod. And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent;…” (Exodus 4:2 – 3a)

“Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say.” (Exodus 4:12)

2.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that scares you.

“And he said, Cast it on the ground. And he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from before it. And the LORD said unto Moses, Put forth thine hand, and take it by the tail…” (Exodus 4:3 – 4)

Wait…what!? Moses was my kind of guy! It says that when he saw the snake, he fled! And if you know anything about snakes, you know that you don’t try to catch them by the tail. This was something that scared Moses. But God was teaching him to just trust Him. It might scare you, and it might not make sense, but if God is asking you to do it, trust Him.

3.  Sometimes, He will ask you to do something that might be painful.

“And the LORD said furthermore unto him, Put now thine hand into thy bosom. And he put his hand into his bosom: and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous as snow.” (Exodus 4:6)

Wait…what!? Leprosy was a horrible, painful disease that would cause people to have to separate from their friends and family. 

Can you imagine being Moses in this moment? Going about, minding your own business, then God shows up and things go crazy. God would continue to have to teach Moses many more lessons on trusting Him. Moses was not yet convinced, and came up with excuse after excuse about why God has chosen the wrong man. But Moses was God’s man, and God would use him in a mighty way. Moses’ life had many ups and downs. Happy times and great victories, and sad times and regrets. But that was Moses life, and that is your life. There will be many times in your Christian life where you scratch your head and say, “wait…what!?” And God is saying, “Just trust Me.” None of us know what all God has in store for our lives, but we can know that He knows, and that He loves us. Sometimes it will scare us, sometimes it will hurt. But He will always give us exactly what we need, when we need it. We just need to trust Him.

Has God ever given you a ‘Wait… What!?’ assignment that scared you or felt painful at first? Share below—I’d love to hear your story!

Phil Erickson Jr. and his wife, Katelyn, serve the Lord at the First Baptist Church of Cottondale, TX. They have four sons – Jaxon, Caleb, Philip III, and Kade.

People Can Change

People Can Change

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Today’s Passage – Genesis 43 – 44 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 5 – 6; Proverbs 17; Psalms 81 – 85)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Psalm 92:1 – 4

Read the “0117 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous posts from today’s reading passage – “Passed the Test,” “Bereaved Again,” and “The Joseph Principle.”

One year ago today, I shared this devotion on how God changed Judah—and how He can change us. As I reread it this morning, I’m reminded afresh of the ongoing work of sanctification in my own life this past year. I pray it encourages you.

“And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content.” (Genesis 37:26 & 27)

“Now therefore, I pray thee, let thy servant abide instead of the lad a bondman to my lord; and let the lad go up with his brethren. For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.” (Genesis 44:33 & 34)

There is quite a contrast between the events that take place in chapter 37 and those that happen in chapter 44 of the Book of Genesis. In chapter 37, the brothers of Joseph want to put Joseph to death (all except Reuben). Judah, who is the fourth oldest son comes up with idea of selling his brother into slavery. While his idea spared Joseph’s life, consider the devastating pain it inflicted on their father, Jacob. Now, I am sure that most of us are familiar with the events that transpired in the life of Joseph; they are recorded in these chapters – 37 through 44. God had his hand on Joseph, and although he certainly suffered, God raised him up to a position of great influence and authority. But what about Jacob? For years Jacob thought his favorite son, Joseph, was dead. Joseph’s brothers had no problem going home and telling their father that their brother was killed by some wild beast. How could their level of compassion and care for their father be so low that they would be willing to put him through the tragic loss of Joseph.

There is certainly a change, however, in chapter 44. Joseph puts his brothers through a series of tests. (You will have to read the story for yourself in order to fully grasp the thought I am trying to convey here.) The final test is when Joseph arranges to “set up” Benjamin his youngest brother. It seems Joseph may have been seeking to protect Benjamin by keeping him in Egypt, away from potential harm by his brothers. He tells the brothers that Benjamin is going to have to be kept as a bondman in Egypt. But notice how Judah intercedes this time for his brother. He remembers what the loss of Joseph did to his father, and now he is doing everything in his power to keep the same thing from happening to Benjamin. He knows that the loss of Benjamin will completely destroy his father. He even goes as far as to offer to take the place of Benjamin. This is certainly a change from his earlier days.

Fast-forward to Genesis 44, and we see a remarkable transformation in Judah – God changed him. God can change you and I too. People can change. I believe the best way to bring about the needed changes in your life is for you to get as close to God as you can. I am convinced that as we draw nigh to God, He will purge the dross from our lives, and conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus. Do you desire to remain the same or do you desire to be more like Jesus in your life? Judah certainly bore a resemblance to the Lord Jesus here in chapter 44 in the way that he interceded for his brother, and by the way he was willing to be a substitute. Perhaps this is why God chose Judah, not Reuben, Simeon, or Levi to be the tribe that would give to the world the Lord Jesus.

God can do the same for you and me as we yield our lives and our will to Him. Salvation will bring about a dramatic change in your life, both eternally and while you are still living down here on the earth. It’s called sanctification. Salvation (justification) is immediate, sanctification is the process through which God gradually conforms you to the image of Christ. 

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As you yield to God’s Holy Spirit, surrender to God’s will, and saturate yourself in God’s Word, He will change you. 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – (Romans 12:2)

As we begin another year, where do you sense God calling you to change? Draw near to Him through His Word, prayer, and surrender—He is faithful to transform us.

If this devotion speaks to you, share how God has changed you in the comments below—I’d love to hear your testimony.

Joseph and Daniel – They Stood Before Kings

Joseph and Daniel – They Stood Before Kings

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Today’s Passage – Genesis 41 – 42 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click hereto view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Mark 3 – 4; Proverbs 16; Psalms 76 – 80

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Ephesians 4:32

Read previous posts from this passage – “In His Time,“ and “To God Be the Glory.“

Read the “0116 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Joseph’s rise from prison to Pharaoh’s right hand reminded me strongly of Daniel’s story. As I was reflecting on today’s passage regarding Joseph, I was struck with how many comparisons could be made between him and Daniel. Both of these men were placed in foreign and godless nations under very adverse circumstances, yet they both stood out among their peers, glorified the Lord in front of people who did not know Him, and represented Him to these nations’ kings.

 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” (Proverbs 22:29)

“And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.” (Genesis 41:16)

“27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, The secret which the king hath demanded cannot the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, the soothsayers, shew unto the king; 28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;” (Daniel 2:27-28)

Key Parallels Between Joseph and Daniel

  1. They were both young men when we are introduced to them in the pages of Scripture.

  2. They were both in captivity. Daniel was taken captive along with many others when Babylon conquered Judah, and Joseph was sold into captivity by his envious brothers.

  3. They both were pictures of Christ in that there is nothing recorded against them in the Scripture. To be sure, both of these men were sinners, but the Bible does not reveal any of their sin. Christ was sinless; He “knew no sin” (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15).

  4. They both retained their testimonies in the face of very difficult circumstances. Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, thrown into prison, and forgotten by the chief butler who promised to help him. Daniel was taken into captivity and made into a eunuch because his nation had forsaken God. In captivity, it was only Daniel and his three friends who stood firmly for God while many other Jewish captives compromised.

  5. They were both brought before a king because of a dream, and both were able to interpret the king’s dream when others could not.

  6. They both had their names changed by the king. Joseph’s name was changed to Zaphnathpaaneah, and Daniel’s name was changed to Belteshazzar. They were both known in Scripture, however, by their Hebrew names.

  7. They were both elevated out of captivity and promoted to the second highest position in the kingdom (next to the king).

  8. They both continued to serve God after their promotion. Neither of them let the power or the position go to their heads. They both understood that it was God that had given them the position, and that He had a purpose for them within it.

I am sure there are many more parallels that we could add but these are the ones that popped into my head. These two men were both wonderful examples of godly lives surrendered to the Lord. Wouldn’t it be awesome if we had some more men (and women) like Joseph and Daniel in our world today?

What parallels between Joseph and Daniel stood out to you? If you can think of any other parallels, let us know in the comments.

Questions for Reflection
  • What “captivity” or difficult circumstances are you facing right now, and how can Joseph’s and Daniel’s examples encourage you to maintain your testimony?
  • Proverbs 22:29 promises that diligence leads to standing before kings—where in your daily work, family, or ministry could greater diligence open doors for greater influence?
  • Like Joseph and Daniel, how can you more intentionally give God the glory in conversations with unbelievers or people in authority?
  • In what ways do Joseph and Daniel point you to Christ, and how does that truth comfort or challenge you today?
  • Who in your life needs to see a modern example of a surrendered, godly life like these two men?

Take a moment to pray and ask God to make you that kind of difference-maker.

I would love to hear your thoughts – Leave a comment!

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