Category: First Things First Devotional

“This is the writing that was inscribed: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the message: MENE means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. TEKEL means that you have been weighed in the balance and found deficient. PERES means that your kingdom has ben divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5:25-28 HCSB

Have you ever played one of those games where the letters of a word or the words of a phrase are scrambled and you have to unscramble the letters or the words to discover the true meaning? The words that were written on the wall did not make any sense to the king or any of his advisors. God gave Daniel the special ability to understand the words and interpret the meaning for the king.

Defying God can be very dangerous. Even though King Belshazar’s kingdom was very large and powerful, its days were numbered and the kingdom would be divided. The message from God that was written on the wall literally meant: “numbered, numbered, weighed, and divided”. The king’s behavior was weighed on God’s scale of justice. His power and wealth did him no good and did not withstand the judgment of God.

Challenge: If you have forgotten God and turned from His holy ways, there is still time to repent and do what is right. If you fail to follow God’s way, you may face the same destruction and judgment that King Belshazar experienced. Repent now and pray for forgiveness.

“But you have not glorified the God who holds your life-breath in His hand and who controls the whole course of your life.” Daniel 5:23c HCSB

As a former youth pastor I learned how to play some of the basic chords on the guitar so I could lead singing with youth around the campfire and other gatherings. One of the songs I learned was “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. It is a gospel song that was first published in 1927 and was performed by various artists in the 40’s and 50’s. It is the only gospel song to hit #1 on the United States pop singles chart in 1971. The words to the chorus of the song are:

He’s got the whole world in his hands, He’s got the whole world in his hands.He’s got the whole world in his hands, He’s got the whole world in his hands. He’s got you and me brother in his hands… He’s got the whole world in his hands…

Daniel reminded King Belshazzar that he had abandoned God and that God is so powerful that He even held king Belshazzar’s life in His hands. God is in control of everything. He is sovereign. Nothing happens without God’s permission.

Challenge: Your life is in God’s hands. He controls the course of your life. Always seek God’s will and direction in your life. YouTube has several versions of the song “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” that are available for your listening.

“However, I have heard about you that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Therefore, if you can read this inscription and give me its interpretation, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain around your neck, and have the third highest position in the kingdom.” Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts, and give your rewards to someone else; however, I will read the inscription for the king and make the interpretation known to him.” Daniel 5:16-17 HCSB

The Fresno Bee reports: Joe Cornell could have yielded to temptation when he found a bag full of money in downtown Fresno. He didn’t, and it’s paying off for him.

Cornell found a bag with about $125,000 that had fallen off a Brinks armored car in downtown Fresno. Keep it or return it? He decided on the latter course, and now Brinks officials say they’ll give Cornell a $5,000 reward. “It was the right thing to do,” Cornell said. Brinks officials are breathing a sigh of relief. “Mr. Cornell did the right thing,” Brinks spokesman Ed Cunningham said. “For that, we are grateful.” Brinks also will donate $5,000 in Cornell’s name to the local Salvation Army, where Joe works and is a part of a drug and alcohol abuse program.

There are times when we all are faced with the decision to do what is right. Daniel had the opportunity to “cash in” on his God-given ability to interpret dreams, visions, and the writing on the wall. Obviously, the king had already sought an interpretation from his own counselors and they could not provide him with an answer. The king then turned to Daniel and offered him purple clothes, a symbol of royalty and power, and a gold chain that was only worn by those recognized by the king as a person of rank. Daniel could have had it all and been third in charge of Babylon, but he refused the king’s gifts, not as a way of being disrespectful, but as a way to do what was right rather than do something for personal gain.

Challenge: Doing what is right should always be our first priority over gaining power and financial reward. Do you love God enough to do what is right even if it means giving up personal reward and gain?

At that moment the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and began writing on the plaster of the king’s palace wall next to the lampstand. As the king watched the hand that was writing, his face turned pale, and his thoughts so terrified him that his hip joints shook and his knees knocked together. Daniel 5:5-6 HCSB

I was once in New York City on a mission trip and took the subway out of downtown to meet Debbie and the children so they would not have to drive in the traffic. Debbie had gotten lost and was not there when I got off of the subway. I was standing alone in Harlem in an area that was totally unfamiliar to me. I was afraid and felt some concern for my personal safety.

When King Belshazzar saw the hand writing on the wall, he became terrified to the point that his body was shaking. It sounds like a scene from a horror movie. Imagine the powerful king of Babylon shaking with fear. I am sure he was not the only one who was afraid. All of his guests watched the hand write on the wall. God used the hand as a way to confront the king with his sinful behavior. God is patient but eventually He will confront man’s sins, often in ways that are unexpected.

Challenge: As believers, the Holy Spirit resides within each of us to convict us and confront us with our wrongdoings. All have sinned and should be terrified of God’s condemnation. It is only through Jesus Christ that we find grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Pray for forgiveness of your sins and ask God to guide and direct you so you will not fall into temptation. Thank Him for His mercy and grace.

King Belshazzar held a great feast for 1,000 of his nobles and drank wine in their presence. Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring the gold and silver vessels that his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king and his nobles, wives, and concubines could drink from them. Daniel 5:1-2 HCSB

Every day the police stop cars whose drivers are going too fast or breaking the law in some way. In some cases the car is stopped because the driver seems to be under the influence of some type of alcoholic beverage. The driver is usually weaving and trying to keep the car on the road between the lines and may be given a citation and charged with DUI (Driving Under the Influence). When someone is under the influence of alcohol, he usually says and does things that are not typical. The alcohol causes the person to use poor judgment. Too many times people are killed by a drunk driver.

King Belshazzar was under the influence of alcohol. He used poor judgment when he asked for the gold and silver vessels from the temple in Jerusalem to be brought so they could drink from them. These were holy vessels and were intended to used by the priests in the worship of the one true God. Not only were the vessels being used in a unholy way, but they were being used as a part of a drunken orgy that was being performed as an act of praise and worship to pagan gods.

Challenge: Avoid using poor judgment and making poor decisions caused by the destructive influence of alcohol. Rather, be controlled by the influence of the Holy Spirit that lives within all believers.

Nebuchadnezzar exclaimed, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego! He sent His angel and rescued His servants who trusted in Him. They violated the kings command and risked their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28 HCSB

We live in a world and a culture where it seems that Christians continue to give into the pressures and demands of the majority. Some people do not want to be viewed as a “Jesus freak” or some “religious nut,” so they compromise and accept values that are directly opposed to what God’s Word says. Our culture has said that abortion and homosexuality are acceptable. Sadly, more and more Christians are embracing these standards that are not Scripturally founded. The world says that there are many ways to God and that we should accept all different religions,but Jesus proclaimed, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to risk their lives to follow God’s commands. They trusted in God to take care of them, even if they died in the fiery furnace. There are Christians around the world who are suffering and being persecuted daily as a result of their beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ. Some have even been killed. We too, should be willing to take a stand for what God’s Word says and not compromise our beliefs, even if it means that we will suffer in some way as a result.

Challenge: Pray for strength as you take a stand against the values of a secular world. Do not compromise your beliefs, but instead be willing to take some ridicule and criticism for your convictions. Go to www.persecution.com (http://www.persecution.com/) to learn more about Christians who are facing persecution around the world.

He exclaimed, “Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Daniel 3:25 HCSB

I receive a daily email devotion written by the great preacher and writer Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892). He is one of England’s best-known preachers. In 1854, just four years after his conversion, Spurgeon, then only 20, became the pastor of London’s famous New Park Street Church. The congregation quickly outgrew their building and moved twice to accommodate audiences numbering more than 10,000 – all in the days before electronic amplification. Spurgeon is also known for his volumes of written work. In the devotion I received this week Spurgeon used a story from Daniel to illustrate his point. The following paragraph is from Dr. Charles Spurgeon.

“Be not content with an interview now and then, but seek always to retain his company, for only in his presence hast thou either comfort or safety. Jesus should not be unto us a friend who calls upon us now and then, but one with whom we walk evermore. Thou hast a difficult road before thee; see, O traveller to heaven, that thou go not without thy guide. Thou hast to pass through the fiery furnace; enter it not, unless, like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, thou hast the Son of God to be thy companion. In every condition thou wilt need Jesus. Keep close to thy Best friend, and he will refresh and cheer thee.”

Challenge: Some Biblical scholars say that the fourth person in the fire was an angel while others say it was the preincarnation appearance of Jesus. Either way, when we walk through the fires and trials of life we need God to be with us. Read Psalm 46. It reminds us that God is always with us, even in times of trouble.

“But if you don’t worship it, you will immediately be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire – and who is the god who can rescue you from my power?” Daniel 3:15b HCSB

What would you do or say if you were asked the same question as asked of Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego by King Nebuchadnezzar? Would you fall down and worship the idols and ask God for forgiveness? Would you bow down but only pretend to worship the idols? Would you perhaps rationalize that you must obey the king or that you were in a foreign land and God would understand your requirement to worship other gods? Would you rationalize that your ancestors actually set up idols in God’s temple and that just bowing down to the idol would not cause harm? Would you conclude that worshiping idols was not offensive? Or would you believe that if you were killed you would not be able to have an influence in the culture and help the others who were exiled?

We all make excuses and rationalize why we sin and disobey God, but the bottom line is that God has provided us with guidelines on how to live and bring honor to Him and for us to have an abundant life. When we choose to disobey God and go against His laws, we are sinning and bringing dishonor to God. Our sins separate us from a Holy God. Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego could have rationalized why they should bow down and worship the idols, but they decided they would not violate God’s command in Exodus 20:3, “Do not worship any other gods besides me.”

Challenge: What excuses or rationales do you use when faced with a hard decision to follow God’s ways instead of the world’s ways? Pray for strength and wisdom as you take a stand for God and do what is right. Trust God to take care of you.

“There are some Jews you have appointed to manage the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men have ignored you, the king; they do not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:12 HCSB

ThinkProgress reports : Last week, the militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) forced 10,000 Christians (http://english.al-akhbar.com/content/christian-leaders-express-shock-world-silence-after-isis-expels-iraqi-christians) living in the Iraqi city of Mosul to pack up their belongings and flee. ISIS issued a statement last Thursday ordering (http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/24/iraqi-christians-mosul-isis-convert-islam-or-be-executed) the city’s Christians to convert, pay a hefty religious tax, or face execution on Saturday.

Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego faced execution if they did not follow the king’s orders and bow down to his gods and worship the golden statue. It is unclear whether the other Jews under Babylonian captivity were bowing down and worshiping pagan gods and the statue king Nebuchadnezzar had erected, but we do know that these three men were singled out and targeted because of their beliefs and actions. They had decided that they would take a stand and only worship the one true God regardless of the consequences.

Challenge: Are you ready to take a stand for God no matter what? When you stand for God and go against the culture of today, you will be criticized. Taking a stand for God may even cause you to face pain and death. Pray that God will give you the strength you need when you face persecution for your beliefs.

King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue, 90 feet high and nine feet wide. He set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. Daniel 3:1 HCSB

I have had the privilege of visiting the Lincoln Memorial statue in Washington DC. It is a very impressive statue of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, who served during the Civil War. The statue is 19 feet high and 19 feet wide and is a favorite photo spot for tourists in Washington DC.

Daniel had just interpreted a dream for King Nebuchadnezzar who in turn proclaimed that Daniel ‘s God was the God of all gods, and Lord over kings. The king even bowed to the ground and worshiped Daniel, but how quickly King Nebuchadnezzar forgot about Daniel’s God! He had a huge golden statue made and proclaimed that all people were to bow down and worship the statue. It is unclear if the statue was a representation of King Nebuchadnezzar or one of his many gods. The statue was almost five times as high as the Lincoln Memorial statue and probably could have been seen from 16 miles away. It is obvious that King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the people to worship him and to see how great he was. He was not sincerely interested in worshiping the one true God of Daniel.

Challenge: Do you seek the praise and attention of other people? When you attend church, is your focus on worshiping God or do you have other motives? Praise God for who He is and ask Him to help you keep the focus of your worship solely upon Him.