Bible League: Living His Word Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn't find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.Daniel was a remarkable man of God. He was one of the Jews of noble birth who had been sent to Babylon with all the other exiles from Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. Despite dwelling in the midst of an evil pagan empire, Daniel prospered and rose up the ranks of the Babylonian administration under King Nebuchadnezzar. His story is a message of hope to any true believer caught up in a situation controlled by non-believers. The first thing to be learned from Daniel's story is that it's possible for a believer to flourish in the midst of a situation controlled by non-believers. Our verse for today tells us that the reason for Daniel's rise up the ranks was that "He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy." These are qualities that serve a person well in any situation and they served Daniel well despite the pagan religious direction of the Babylonian government. Secondly, it's possible for a believer to encounter enemies in a situation controlled by nonbelievers. In Daniel's case, the other administrators plotted his downfall for no apparent reason other than that someone of a different faith was about to be promoted above them (Daniel 6:3). The very qualities that allow us to be promoted force an enemy to look elsewhere at our faith as a reason to criticize and condemn us. Finally, we can learn from Daniel's story that it's possible for a believer to overcome the opposition of enemies in a situation controlled by non-believers. God delivered Daniel from the hands of his enemies and they suffered the fate they had plotted for him (Daniel 6:24). The faith that is used as an excuse to destroy us is the very thing that inspires God to rise up and save us from the hand of our enemies. You may be in a Babylonian situation today. However, you are not alone. Keep being faithful, responsible, and trustworthy. God can help you to flourish and to overcome despite the jealousy of the enemies that surround you. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingPsalm 13-16 Psalm 13 -- How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 14 -- The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 15 -- David's Psalm of Zion NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Psalm 16 -- Preserve me, God, for in you do I take refuge. NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Acts 18 Acts 18 -- Paul in Corinth; Third Missionary Journey begins NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”Insight Our care for others is a measure of our greatness. How much concern do you show to others? This is a vital question that can accurately measure your greatness in God's eyes. Challenge How have you expressed your care for others lately, especially the helpless, the needy, the poor—those who can't return your love and concern? Your honest answer to that question will give you a good idea of your real greatness. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Matthew 28:1 As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre.Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellowship with him at some distant season, thou wilt never have fellowship at all; for the heart that is fitted for communion is a hungering and a thirsting heart. She sought him also with very great boldness. Other disciples fled from the sepulchre, for they trembled and were amazed; but Mary, it is said, "stood" at the sepulchre. If you would have Christ with you, seek him boldly. Let nothing hold you back. Defy the world. Press on where others flee. She sought Christ faithfully--she stood at the sepulchre. Some find it hard to stand by a living Saviour, but she stood by a dead one. Let us seek Christ after this mode, cleaving to the very least thing that has to do with him, remaining faithful though all others should forsake him. Note further, she sought Jesus earnestly--she stood "weeping". Those tear-droppings were as spells that led the Saviour captive, and made him come forth and show himself to her. If you desire Jesus' presence, weep after it! If you cannot be happy unless he come and say to you, "Thou art my beloved," you will soon hear his voice. Lastly, she sought the Saviour only. What cared she for angels, she turned herself back from them; her search was only for her Lord. If Christ be your one and only love, if your heart has cast out all rivals, you will not long lack the comfort of his presence. Mary Magdalene sought thus because she loved much. Let us arouse ourselves to the same intensity of affection; let our heart, like Mary's, be full of Christ, and our love, like hers, will be satisfied with nothing short of himself. O Lord, reveal thyself to us this evening! Daily Light on the Daily Path 2 John 1:13 The children of your chosen sister greet you.Isaiah 64:1 Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence-- Psalm 42:1,2 For the choir director. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. • My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God? Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; Titus 2:13 looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, 1 Timothy 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 1 Peter 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, Revelation 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Isaiah 25:9 And it will be said in that day, "Behold, this is our God for whom we have waited that He might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation." New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. 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