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Relentless pursuit of my heart…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 6:3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

At its heart, this chapter, like so many others, is about pride and its dangers. Ultimately, it’s the administrators and the satraps who were jealous of Daniel’s impeccable character, jealous of the king’s desire to set Daniel in a position of authority over the whole kingdom. This jealousy and bitterness, this pride led to the events in Daniel 6, events that led to the deaths of not only the administrators and the satraps who plotted but also of their wives and children.

Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

I truly believe this is one of the reasons God keeps after me about laying down my pride and adopting an attitude of humility, about letting go of my anger and bitterness about what I think “should be.” He knows that that way lies destruction for me, and He loves me too much to want that end for me.

Daniel 6:5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”

Lord, Thank You for Your relentless pursuit of my heart. Thank You that You love me too much to let my pride get the better of me. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). Amen.

Daniel 6:15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

Have a blessed day.

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This motif of pride and humility…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 5:22-23 “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven….you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.

Here we are again with this motif of pride and humility. Belshazzar had the example of Nebuchadnezzar’s humbling and still Belshazzar chose pride. Daniel 5:27 says God weighed Belshazzar and found him wanting. This is not the end that I want. I want to live a life that allows my Father to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt 25:21).

Daniel 5:26 “Here is what these words mean: Mene: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end.

So how do I live in a way that might allow that to happen? Daniel 5:23 gives me insight: “honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” How do I honor God? Love God. Love others. Humble myself before Him. It seems so simple, so why do I struggle so?

Daniel 5:27 Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting.

Lord, Thank You for meeting me here again this morning. Thank You for working on my humility again and again and again so that I don’t end up like Belshazzar. Thank You for showing me the way to honor You. Help me to honor You daily, hourly, moment by moment. Amen.

Daniel 5:28 Peres: Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.”

Have a blessed day.

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To seek and to see…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 4:29-30 Twelve months later, as the king was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”

I have a new appreciation and thankfulness this morning that in all God’s dealings with me in the realm of humility, He hasn’t had to go to the extremes of Nebuchadnezzar to get my attention. However, I am just as guilty of the prideful attitude that Nebuchadnezzar had. I’ve strutted around, thinking how proud I was of all my accomplishments, thinking how I deserved the things I’d earned, thinking I deserved things that weren’t mine.

Daniel 4:33 Immediately what had been said about Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from people and ate grass like the ox. His body was drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

The way of self-seeking pride lies madness. For me, it was more about anger and bitterness when I didn’t get what I thought I deserved. Those emotions eat at my soul. So much better to live in the attitude of the song “Holy Now,” which I mentioned a while back. When I seek and look for God’s presence, I see it everywhere, and it’s a beautiful gift.

Daniel 4:34 At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

Lord, Give us eyes to seek You and see You everywhere, so that we can live in the wonder of Your presence all around us. Give us humble hearts, so that we can be filled with the awe of Your presence and goodness instead of filled with our own anger and bitterness at what we think we deserve. Thank You for Your fierce love and boundless grace. Amen.

Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Have a blessed day.

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But even if he does not…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 3:15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

God doesn’t always act the way we want Him to. He doesn’t always bring the healing we feel is warranted in the way we feel it should happen. Sometimes bad things happen. Sometimes healing comes in Heaven instead of on earth. That doesn’t mean God is absent or unconcerned.

Daniel 3:16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

Faith isn’t fickle. God can do all things. Nothing is impossible with Him. A lack of healing or lack of answers we wanted doesn’t mean we weren’t faithful enough or that God’s absent or inattentive. It means God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8). It means His will is not ours. It means we have to trust.

Daniel 3:17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

Lord, Help me to have the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, to know in my heart, in my soul, that no matter the situation, You are “able to deliver us from it, and You will deliver us from” it, but even if You do not, even if my will, my prayer is not Your answer, help me to continue strong in the faith that You are with me, that You love me, that You are working for my good and Your glory. Always. Amen.

Daniel 3:18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

Have a blessed day.

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Put God first, and help others…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 2:17 Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.

Daniel seems an exceptionally humble young man. Was he always like that? Was this humility granted after the test at the end of chapter 1? Nothing in this chapter seems self-seeking. He isn’t patting his own back, resting on his own merit, singing his own praises. His heart seems to be in the right place: put God first, and help others.

Daniel 2:18 He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

I consider myself to be a fairly decent person, but I know I still have a long way to go. In the realm of “Put God first, and help others,” I’m awfully bad to start qualifying  my help according to the world and my own prejudices. I’ve mentioned that God’s been working on me for a long time in the realm of humility, of emptying me of myself so God can fill me. I am a work in progress.

Daniel 2:19 During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven…

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the progress You have made in me in the area of humility. It’s slow and painstaking progress, but it is absolutely progress, and I am grateful. Empty me of myself. Fill me with Your love, grace, compassion, peace. Help me to put You first and help others, always. Amen.

Daniel 2:30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than anyone else alive, but so that Your Majesty may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.

Have a blessed day.

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A better approach…. (devo reflection)

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

One thing I have come to realize about conflict on social media is that it seems designed to inflame passions and insight knee-jerk reactions. Interestingly, I think there is a lot to be learned from Daniel 1 about a better approach to dealing with conflict in today’s society.

Daniel 1:11-13 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”

Daniel is firm in his convictions and rational in his approach. He doesn’t demand anything of the guard. He explains his position and proposes an experiment so the guard can test his concerns. He also recognizes the guard’s concerns and the reason behind those concerns, which are grounded in fear for the guard’s own well-being. The outcome is incredibly positive for all.

Daniel 1:14-15 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.

Lord, Help us to approach each other, especially in conflict, with humility, compassion, and common sense instead of inflamed emotions and knee-jerk reactions. Help us to have level heads and grace-filled hearts as we relate to each other—especially those we fear, don’t like, or don’t understand. Draw us closer to You as we strive to live a life that glorifies You in the world. Amen.

Daniel 1:17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.

Have a blessed day.

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The Lord is there…. (Devo reflection)

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Once again, this chapter is full of measurements and numbers. I’m left wondering about the spiritual lesson or point. And then I came to the last line: “The LORD is there.” That hope, the reminder, that assurance—God is there.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

There are days, lots and lots of days, where that reminder—of God’s presence and steadfastness, even on my worst days—is what makes all the difference. In the chaos and confusion, in the pain and despair, in the ordinary, in the beautiful…God is there.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Lord, Thank You for Your presence, for Your love, for Your grace. Thank You for being there, even on the tough days, especially then. Amen.

Ezekiel 48:35 “The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. “And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Trust God…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 47:15 “This is to be the boundary of the land: “On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad….

There is some debate in commentary about whether this is a real, physical place or a spiritual promise. I kind of think that question misses the point.

Ezekiel 47:18 “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.

The point is that God has a perfect plan, He plans for us a hope and a future. It may not look anything like we had hoped or imagined, but we can trust Him.

Ezekiel 47:19 “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary.

Lord, I get so caught up in plans and details, in worrying about the small stuff. Help me to trust You and Your promises, even through the chaos and upheaval of life. Amen.

Ezekiel 47:20 “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.

Have a blessed day. I love you.

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Sacrifices and offerings…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 46:12 “‘When the prince provides a freewill offering to the Lord—whether a burnt offering or fellowship offerings—the gate facing east is to be opened for him. He shall offer his burnt offering or his fellowship offerings as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out, and after he has gone out, the gate will be shut.

There is much mention in this chapter of sacrifices and offerings. I find the timing interesting as Lent started yesterday, a time where many give up something they enjoy as a sacrifice to God. But there are so many scriptures that reiterate the need to go beyond sacrifice.

Ezekiel 46:13 “‘Every day you are to provide a year-old lamb without defect for a burnt offering to the Lord; morning by morning you shall provide it.

Proverbs 21:3 “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” Hosea 6:6 “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.” Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Ezekiel 46:14 You are also to provide with it morning by morning a grain offering, consisting of a sixth of an ephah with a third of a hin of oil to moisten the flour. The presenting of this grain offering to the Lord is a lasting ordinance.

Lord, In this season of Lent, where so many are actively tuned to sacrifice for You, help us to tune in to the sacrifices that really matter to You—sacrificing our pride to do for others (even those we deem unworthy of our time, especially those), sacrificing our comfort to seek justice, sacrificing our complacency to love others with Your love. Help us, Lord. Amen.

Ezekiel 46:15 So the lamb and the grain offering and the oil shall be provided morning by morning for a regular burnt offering.

Have a blessed day.

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Keep on keeping on…. (devo reflection)

Ezekiel 45:21 “‘In the first month on the fourteenth day you are to observe the Passover, a festival lasting seven days, during which you shall eat bread made without yeast.

Today is one of those days where nothing seems to stick, nothing seems to make sense. I’ve read the text twice and read the commentary thoroughly and I’m scratching my head wondering what God wants me to get from this. There are lots of sevens in this chapter. Maybe He has a message about perfection and completion.

Ezekiel 45:22 On that day the prince is to provide a bull as a sin offering for himself and for all the people of the land.

Or maybe His message today is much more elemental: Despite my best efforts, sometimes life just doesn’t make sense. It’s messy and awkward and uncomfortable. If that’s the case, what’s the point? If I had to guess, it would be to keep on keeping on, to put my faith and trust in Him, that He has a plan, to keep seeking, keep searching, keep trying, even in the face of futility. To not give up. To keep striving for Him. Jesus, Help me.

Ezekiel 45:23 Every day during the seven days of the festival he is to provide seven bulls and seven rams without defect as a burnt offering to the Lord, and a male goat for a sin offering.

Lord, Help me, on days like today when everything feels a little off, when nothing makes a ton of sense, when the effort just feels too hard, Help me to persevere, to trust You, to seek You, to praise You. Help me to see You, Your miraculous love and grace, with every breath. And help me to share Your love with others. Amen.

Ezekiel 45:25 “‘During the seven days of the festival, which begins in the seventh month on the fifteenth day, he is to make the same provision for sin offerings, burnt offerings, grain offerings and oil.

Have a blessed day.