Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah were given the best of what Babylon had to offer – so what was the problem? The best of the best was not the best according to the Law of the God of Israel, and these young men knew they needed to either stand with their God or against Him – there was no middle ground. In today’s world, where compromise is the key word, Daniel and his three friends would be labeled religious fanatics and trouble makers for staying true to their God. Being under the Mosaic system, these four young men would have known Leviticus 11:44–47: “For I am the LORD your God: you will therefore sanctify yourselves, and you will be holy; for I am holy: neither will you defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. For I am the LORD that brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: you shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps upon the earth: To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten.” Though this passage speaks about dietary issues these young men were facing, it really is speaking about their heart relationship with their God.

I have read the story of Daniel and his friends many, many times but never before with eyes focused on my heart relationship with my Lord. Daniel’s focus was on the holiness of his God, not the pleasing of man.

Beginning 2016 with Prayer

Miracle 3: Acting in Faith – Overcoming Disability

Read John 5
The Lord told the man beside the pool of Bethseda, to do what he could not naturally do, Jesus said “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” As he obeyed in faith, the miracle occurred.
Ask the Lord what He wants you to do today, to speak to you and obey in faith. Pray that the Lord will be glorified in that situation.