July 28 - The Living God

Today's Reading:
Daniel 6:1-28
Matthew 25:31-26:13
Proverbs 20:25-21:4 
Click on Text Link to Read Online

Focus Verses: Daniel 6:25-28
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! 26 "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Insight:
Daniel was a Jewish captive living in exile. He experienced hardship and endured persecution for his faith. Ultimately, his faithfulness to God resulted in prosperity and blessing. Even King Darius was moved to offer praise and worship to "the God of Daniel," because he had witnessed God's mighty power to sustain and help Daniel.

Response and Action:
My faithfulness to God through thick and thin will result in blessing to me and others. I want to live with faithfulness and boldness like Daniel. I pray that my life would be a testimony of God's power to protect, sustain, and bless.

O God, pour out your mercy and blessing on me. Give me a heart that is faithful toward you, grant me the strength to persevere through any circumstance, and give me the wisdom and will to walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.

Spiritual Formation Verses: Philippians 3:13-14
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Resources:
Following After God: What Difference Does God Make
by Daniel Hill