His Whisperings – Page 53 – Inspired by His Word

Daniel 1:11-14 Daniel proposes a test

Posted on April 3, 2008 by Janice D. GreenApril 3, 2008

Daniel 1:11-14 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

When the king’s guard was concerned for his own safety as well as Daniel’s life because of Daniel’s refusal to eat the kings food, Daniel exercised great wisdom. Rather than taking a defiant stand against eating the king’s food, he negotiated a proposal that turned the situation into a temporary test case.

We would benefit from following Daniel’s example of resistance through respectful negotiation. Unfortunately, we Christians often take the offensive approach to following God’s commands. I am referring to in-your-face self-righteous behavior that causes unbelievers to feel embarrassed or singled out for not meeting our expectations. Perhaps we need to examine our own behavior. Do we reach out to the unsaved in love and compassion, or do we view them with contempt because of their behaviors.

Father, lead us to follow you in humility. Help us to learn from Daniel’s example of diplomacy as he negotiated with the king’s guards. Give us his kind of wisdom as we live and work among the unsaved around us.

Daniel 1:8-10 Daniel takes a stand

Posted on April 3, 2008 by Janice D. GreenApril 3, 2008

Daniel 1:8-10 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

Daniel was prepared to take a stand. He knew what foods God had forbidden his people to eat. Daniel was not willing to sacrifice his principles to please the king. Daniel’s decision to refuse the king’s food could have caused him to be executed, but he would not compromise God’s commands.

Daniel’s decision to not partake these foods came out of a life-long commitment to honoring God. He didn’t suddenly decide to stop eating them; he had decided this long ago. Then when the going got tough he didn’t waver.

We, like Daniel need to resolve issues of right and wrong, what we will and will not do, well ahead of the time when we may be challenged to decide. When we are under pressure to conform, it is hard to think rationally. If the decision has already been made prior to the pressure we will be stronger in our resistance.

God, help us to prepare ourselves to face the temptations that may come our way by studying your word to know your teachings. Then help us to embrace your teachings that we will not falter when the world pressures us to go in the wrong direction.

Daniel 1:3-7 The Babylonian king changes Daniel’s life

Posted on April 1, 2008 by Janice D. GreenApril 1, 2008

Daniel 1:3-7 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

Daniel and his three friends did not seek to be chosen to serve the king, but they were selected because they met the qualifications the king was looking for. They along with all the other young men who were selected were treated like royalty and were in training to serve the Babylonian king. Daniel was given a new name, Belteshazzar, and his three friends were names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.I always like to find a way to apply each verse to our current day.

This scripture is basically factual information; however, we might consider how God uses other people and changes they make in our circumstances to show what he can do.

The school I teach in is closing at the end of this school year, so what next year is going to bring me looks like one great big question mark. I have to keep reminding myself that God will be at work in the outcome of the decisions that will be made on my behalf. I have been wishing I could retire to write… We’ll see…

Lord, empower us to relax in the knowledge that you are in control of every aspect of our lives. When things seem shaky and uncertain, help us to lift our eyes off our troubles and up to you with confidence and trust.

Daniel 1:1-2 Solomon’s temple plundered & Israelites conquered

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 31, 2008

Daniel 1:1-2 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

God is patient and long-suffering. Yet he will do what he says he will do. The people had taken God’s patience for granted until even God’s patience had run out.

God’s covenant with King David and with Solomon was “I will establish his kingdom forever if he is unswerving in carrying out my commands and laws, as is being done at this time.” (1 Chronicles 28:7 NIV) But even King Solomon had begun the downward spiral of the Jewish nation by marrying foreign wives and making allowances for them to worship their Gods.

There were few kings over the Jewish people who followed God. Josiah was one who repented immediately when he heard for the first time the Book of the Law. If Josiah had not repented, God would have allowed the Israelites to fall captive to Babylon earlier.

But the people had once again become corrupt and God could no longer look away. God brought in the Babylonians to conquer the Israelites, carrying them off along with the items from the temple of God, and placed them in their foreign god’s house.

Lord God, May we never forget who you are. May we never forget your promises to us or your commands, lest we become defeated by our enemies. Keep us steadfast in service to you, oh God.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Psalm 141:1-4 A prayer for God’s support

Posted on March 31, 2008 by Janice D. GreenMarch 31, 2008

Psalm 141:1-4 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.)

This Psalm is written by David. It is a good prayer to use to start any day. Verses 1 & 2 express the intimacy that David felt when he talked with the LORD in prayer. I love how David anticipates that God sees his prayers like incense rising up to him.

David is not hesitant to lift up his hands to the God in prayer. I remember how self-conscious I felt when I first tried this. But then I did a little reflecting on other times when I reach toward other things I like with no sense of embarrassment at all. I would not hesitate to reach toward a beautiful flower, vase, or butterfly. It would not embarrass me to reach out to a baby or child to express love to them. We reach out our hands to our pets. Our hands seem to be designed for expressing love. I can feel my heart lifting to God as I reach up to him.

Verse 3 needs to be planted in my heart and mind 24/7. It is so easy to speak first and think later with regret. What a powerful prayer for every day of the week. Verse 4 follows 3 very appropriately. It is as if once the careless words are spoken we are all the more susceptible to go along with the crowd in other ways as well.

Re-read this scripture and offer it up to God in prayer. Lift your hands to him and speak the prayer out loud.

Lord, give us the courage…