We Can Learn to Be Faithful to God Above All Else
Even though Nebuchadnezzar was the highest earthly authority in Daniel's life, Daniel recognised the need to stay faithful to God, his ultimate authority, in every circumstance (Daniel 1:8).
Joshua makes the same call to Israel: "Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:14-15). Being faithful to God isn't only about serving Him; it's about giving up whatever else we're serving instead. Joshua reminds us this is a choice.
What does it cost to follow Jesus?
Dear friend, we're to serve God exclusively. It's both feet in, or none at all. Jesus says as much in Luke 9:23-25: "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?”
That's both a challenge and a promise. We die to self daily, or we lose ourselves chasing the world instead. But there's a wonderful promise in it too: our lives are saved in the process.
So ask yourself: who matters more? Your own fulfilment, or following Jesus?
Daniel recognised the value of honouring God even down to what he ate and drank. Paul says the same: "Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Dear friend, being fully given over to anything costs something. Faithfulness to God means dying to self, serving others including our enemies, and refusing to be conformed to the world. It can feel daunting, but we serve a God bigger than our challenges, our fears, and anything the enemy throws at us.
Jesus says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Following God faithfully, above all else, is truly worth it.
A Prayer of Surrender
Dear Lord, today I choose to surrender. There are many gods out there, but I want to follow You. Even though it means dying to self and taking up my cross daily, please give me the strength to do so. Teach me to run with endurance, that whatever I eat or drink, or whatever I do, would be for Your glory and not mine. Turn my eyes to see You, higher and bigger than anything else in this world, that I would be faithful to You all the days of my life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Take this into prayer
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