5/21/24

Do you ever think that some of the things that God wants from you just doesn't make sense. You might not say it but if you have ever fought with the Lord over His direction in anything then you have felt this way. God tells us this is because we are looking and discerning through the flesh into the worldly ways. Listen to this scripture. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

However, we have been given examples in scripture that show us evidence that God's ways always turn out the best. Daniel and his three friends decided to obey God no matter how it looked through the worlds lenses. God started them off small but eventually they, in the power of Christ, withstood a fiery furnace and a lion's den. We must realize though that God expects obedience in the small things first. Many wonder why God doesn't answer them when their trials are big. I wonder, could it be because they weren't obedient to Him when the trials were small. Listen to our text. ‭Daniel 1:15, 19 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food.

The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service.

God had given the Jews a diet that was restrictive of certain meats. He has not given Christians this diet. Many might say why? I say Praise the Lord! Anyway for them it was best to not eat the things that God had forbidden. Daniel and his friends told their keeper, "Give us a try just for ten days and see if we are not right, that obedience to God is better for us." He allowed them this and they were healthier than any of the others. They continued in their obedience and when the King interviewed them, no others could compare. We can see from this example that a Christian /follower of God is better working with others. This is the design of the church. They supported each other and when one was weak the others were strong. They also encouraged each other. In the end, they were all chosen because of their obedience to God, and in that obedience the righteousness of God showed brightly. We must realize the way God's righteousness shows through us is always obedience. You can not show His righteousness living in the filth of sin. Put another way righteousness is not revealed in the dirt of sin but the cleansing blood of Jesus. If you struggle to make sense of this then start small with obedience in the first things. Examples are faith in Christ, then believers baptistm, followed by sharing your faith, and daily study of His Word and prayer. However, first you have to give up the natural. Remember ‭1 Corinthians 2:14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Love Bro. Scott