GOD’S WORD FOR AUGUST 30

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

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STANDING IN EXILE

Daniel 1:8

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

D.L. MOODY:

I can imagine men saying to Daniel, “Look here, young man, you are too puritanical.  Don’t be too particular:  don’t have so many religious scruples.  Bear in mind you are not now in Jerusalem.  You will have to get over these notions here in Babylon.  You are not now surrounded by friends and relatives.   You aren’t a Jerusalem prince now.  You have been brought down from your high position.  You are now a captive, and if the monarch hears about your refusing to eat the same kind of meat he eats, and to drink the same kind of wine he drinks, your head will soon roll from off your shoulders.  You’d better be a little politically acceptable.”

But this young man had piety and religion down deep in his heart; and that is the right place for it; where it will grow; where it will have power; will it will regulate the life.  Daniel had not joined the company of the faithful few in Jerusalem because he wanted to get into “society,” and attain a position, it was because of the love he had toward the Lord God of Israel.

ERWIN LUTZER:

As exiles, the Jews in Babylon reflect us, the church, living in today’s world, and as such, we must learn from men like Daniel and his friends how to be IN a culture, but not OF the culture.  They had a price to pay for faithfulness; we also must be willing to pay the price of faithfulness.  Daniel continued to pray with his window open even though he was threatened with the lion’s den.

Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult circumstances threatening to divert our allegiance away from Christ.  In those moments, we need to emulate Daniel.

PRAYER

Lord, please fortify my resolve to stand strong for You, no matter the outcome.

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    James 1:3

    Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

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1 Corinthians 16:13

    Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.

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 Genesis 26:5

because Abraham obeyed Me and fulfilled his duty to Me, and kept My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.

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Exodus 19:5

Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;

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Psalm 15:1-2

Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?   Who may dwell in Your holy hill?

He who walks uprightly,   and works righteousness,   and speaks the truth in his heart;

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Psalm 25:5

Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day.

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Psalm 25:10

All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth To those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies.

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Psalm 51:6

Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in secret You will make wisdom known to me.

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Psalm 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on Him, To all who call on Him in truth.

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