DAILY DEVOTIONAL FROM PASTOR WESLEY August 15, 2022

The Power of Consistency

When we commit to the Lord, He can use us for His kingdom.

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, ``We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God." Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: ``King Darius, live forever! ``All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den. ``Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." Therefore, King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, ``Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, ``The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." Then they answered and spoke before the king, ``Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."… Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, ``Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you." ,,, Daniel 6:1-28

We live in a noncommittal world where the ability to persevere through adversity is a rare character trait. For instance, if a job is difficult or boring, it’s all too common for people to quit and find another one. Or when a marriage becomes stressful and unhappy, it often seems easier to give up or start over with a new mate.

Sadly, this lack of commitment is evident even among believers. Many of us struggle to maintain a consistent quiet time with the Lord. Exhaustion, busyness, and misplaced priorities cause us to let that time slide.

Daniel was a man of steadfast loyalty. Even the threat of death didn’t interfere with his practice of praying three times a day. Jealous satraps and commissioners saw this consistent devotion to God as an opportunity to set a trap. But the king’s words show he believed it would be the key to Daniel’s deliverance: “Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you” (Daniel 6:16).

The biblical descriptions of Daniel are impressive: He influenced nations and powerful leaders. But have you considered that the Lord was able to use him greatly because of his unwavering obedience and worship? If you likewise commit yourself to God, just imagine what He can do through your life.

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