Daily devotion – Get to work where you are and stop complaining
Daniel 1: 3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans.
The world always wants the best – as did King Nebuchadnezzar who wanted to pick only the best young men from the Jewish captives now brought to Babylon.
But these young Jewish teens who were selected were each determined to give ‘their’ best to the Lord! We recall Joseph in Egypt and Esther in Persia.
Too often we complain about where God has placed us instead we should be asking God to use us while we are in such places.
The world today seeks to change you, to mould you into the person it wants you to be. To be a conformer, but God desires to use you as a ‘transformer’ – Romans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Daniel and his friends had a new home, strange new names, new teachings, and were offered a new diet; but they kept the same hearts dedication to the Lord.
Pro 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
God can give you favour in difficult places, but Daniel did his bit as well even though just a young man.
Daniel was courteous to his guards and did not create problems for them. (v9) He was following the wise counsel of Jeremiah – read chapter 29, and the example of Joseph – Gen 39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
When everything in your life is upset and you find yourself in new circumstances that you cannot control, let the Lord take over and work out the plan He has in mind.
If your heart is right with Him, His hand will work for you!