Rhonda and I are reading through John McArthur's "Strength for Today" for our morning devotions. For the last Seveal weeks we've been studying the book of Daniel. This morning he had a great thought from Daniel 6:1-3.
"Daniel served in Babylon for seventy years under three kings, each of whom recognized him as a man for unique wisdom and integrity. King Nebuchadnezzar "made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon (Dan. 2:48). King Belshazzar "clothed [him] with purple and put a necklace of gold around his neck, and issued a proclamation concerning him that he now had authority as the third ruler in the kingdom" (Dan. 5:29).
Now King Darius is about to appoint Daniel as prime minister over the entire kingdom, and within a year the king will issue a decree for the Jews to return to Judah, thereby ending the seventy-year Babylonian captivity (Ezra 1:1-3). I believe Cyrus made that decree because of Daniel's wisdom and influence.
Through Daniel's faithfulness we learn that God is sovereign and will accomplish His plans regardless of human authorities. So depsite any political, social, or economic changes that may come, remain faithful to Christ and He will use you in ways that are exceedingly abundantly beyond all you ask or think (Eph. 3:20)." (italics mine)
I am constantly hearing how the economy is failing and that there is no end in sight. I walk in on conversations where conversers are complaining about the future of America because there is no confidence in either presidential candidate. What the future holds for us either politically or economically is not the issue. The issue is will we hold fast to the faith and bring glory to Christ no matter what our circumstances may be. Take to heart the words of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
