Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said to Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you. A stone was brought, and laid on the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Daniel 6:16 WEBAfter serving God faithfully, Daniel was thrown into a stinking hole in the ground, full of hungry lions. The half starved lions were eyeing him and each other saying 'What's on the menu this afternoon?' Daniel must have sat at the bottom of that lion's den and thought: 'REALLY? This was the plan? What's up with that?'
I thank God Daniel's story does not end there. This difficult test was the beginning of a season of promotion for Daniel. The lions did not touch him, and after getting out, he prospered under the king and had great respect. The king now knew for certain that God was with Daniel, and he sought his counsel. As a bonus, Daniel's enemies were tossed into the den and eaten, so he did not have to worry about them conspiring against him anymore.
There have been times in my life when I have found myself in a similar stinking hole in the ground, right after trying my very hardest to draw close to the Lord. I could fast and pray for a few weeks, and then suddenly get laid off from work. I would think 'What's up with that?' Yet each time it worked out for my good. The Lord sometimes has to remove something in order to give you better, or to bring change.
At one point in stark contrast, I lost the best job that I had so far as a supervisor, and soon had to work at the worst job that I ever had, at one third of the pay. I was praying and fasting a lot of the time and I knew that God was in control of my life. I was submitted to Him and whatever He wanted, I wanted. I also knew that He was testing me, for it was so obvious. The job was so bad that it was funny at times, and people did their drugs unabashedly. As I looked around me, this scripture kept ringing out:
'And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ' (Colossians 3:23'24).
So I made the job into a game and set out to be the best worker they had ever seen, in the worst work environment I had ever seen. I was the first to arrive, and worked late. I kept my work area immaculate. I swept the floors and picked up trash. I picked up people without a ride and brought them to work. Soon I found myself the manager. Then that door suddenly closed, and the Lord pushed me into my own computer business. It was a strange path of promotion.
What you consider to be the 'worst thing that could possibly happen' may be your path to favor and promotion. Work heartily wherever you find yourself just as if you were working directly for the Lord, and you will be rewarded. Smile, God is the real boss.
Prayer: Heavenly Father I thank You so much for all that You are doing in my life. I know that You are in control of what happens to me, for I have given my life to You. Please help me focus on what matters and cover me with Your presence today, in the name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen!Note: 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.' (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page:
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Amen Father You are in control and I Thank You
Amen. Thank you Lord for your blessings and for guiding me. You are in control. Amen
Amen
Amen
Amen!!
Thank you Jesus for all our blessings . Thank you for loving us.We love and worship you.Amen
Amen thank you Father for your faithfulness I love you
Amen
Amen! Thank You Lord!
In Jesus name Amen. Thank you Father Yahweh for helping me through this time of taking care of my mother through her sickness and surgeries. I couldn't have done it, or currently do it without You. I know now more than ever, that You care for us and meet all of our needs. I trust You without a doubt.
Please pray for my niece who struggling with cancer! Nothing has helped so far in the medical area. She is 48 and her name is Julie! She loves her Lord very much! Please pray for comfort and peace for her!
thank you
Prayers for healing for your niece Julie. May the Lord remove all cancerous cells and restore Julie to full health. I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.
Praying for Julie. Heal her Lord. AMEN
Joining you, Marlene, in prayer for Julie's healing and peace! Lord, give Julie strength and a deep trust in Your power and goodness. In Jesus' name and for His glory, Amen
Prayed for Julie. By Jesus stripes we are healed. Amen!
Heavenly Father I thank You for all You have done in my life and protecting me from the snares of the enemy, for giving me Your unconditional love. I trust in You and I will follow Your designs, in Jesus Christ name I pray. Amen.
Great devotional and testimony Pastor, God bless you and Sylvia.
Thanks for your encouraging testimony and heartfelt prayer, Pastor Dion! Please help me focus on what matters and cover me with Your presence today. Thank you, Lord. Amen
Amen .Praying for Julie.
Amen Good Morning Everyone
Thank you Lord Jesus, Amen
Yes Lord Jesus, amen
Amen!
God take away the sadness I feel. Amen
Yes Lord help me to focus on what matters and cover me with your presence today. Thank you Pastor for such encouragement.