Daily Devotionals

Stuck Between a Rock and a Hard Place Week 1: Friday

The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. Daniel 1:19

God is honored when we hold on to our faith in Christ and maintain our integrity in challenging situations. This is the most important outcome when it comes to our faith in Christ. However, there is also another result that may surprise us: others notice. Other people see our faith and are pointed straight to Christ. This was the case for Daniel and His friends, young men who were exiled from their home in Judah to Babylon and brought to serve in the king's palace. They requested not to eat the king's food, which would have defiled them, according to their Jewish faith. As they ate only fruit and vegetables, God honored their integrity and faith, causing them to become stronger and healthier than any other young men in the king's court (Daniel 1:15).

When Daniel and his friends requested to eat only vegetables and water instead of the other food the king provided, the attendant serving them agreed to a ten-day trial period. After the ten days, these men looked better and healthier than the other young men who had eaten the king's food, so the attendant continued to feed Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, vegetables and water. At the end of their training to serve in the king's court, the king evaluated all the young men who had been training. Scripture teaches that "no one impressed him as much as Daniel" and his friends (verse 19). In fact, "he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom" (verse 20). The king took notice of these men because God honored them. Their excellence in all they did reflected the God they served. 

People notice when we live faithfully and hold on to our integrity. The way we live points others directly to our God. They see God working through us. So may we live faithfully, and may our words and actions point others to Him. After all, Jesus said in Matthew 5 that we "are the light of the world" (verse 12).

Moving toward action

One of the ways we can faithfully honor God is by inviting others to church with us. Is there someone in your life who does not have a relationship with Christ? Invite them to come to one of our weekend services with you. You never know the power that your invitation could have!

Going Deeper

Matthew 5:1-16

"One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes
3 "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4 God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
6 God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
7 God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
9 God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

11 "God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Teaching about Salt and Light
13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

14 "You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."