Today's Devotional

March 1, 2005

Subject:  Make God Break The Rules

Daniel 6:4 - 5 "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.  Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." 

Daniel was an honest and upright man of God.  He kept his devotion and commitment to living by the principles of trust and belief in this almighty God.  There was nothing the world could offer Daniel that would persuade him otherwise.  Remember, he was cast in the lion's den because of his beliefs.  When the passage above begins, it says, "then" they (president's and princes) "sought to find occasion against" him, but they couldn't.  That's how clean a life Daniel lived unto God.  He was so "straight" (honest/holy/right before God) that in order for them to have something against Daniel, they realized that it would take establishing a rule or law that made him violate his principles toward his God.  These people plotted against Daniel simply because he had been placed in a position of great authority.  However, Daniel found favor, even from an unbelieving King.  

That's where we are in the world today.  Don't spend so much time trying to find out why people sometimes come against you.  The answer is simple.  If you've determined to live upright before God, the world is looking "to find occasion against" you.  It doesn't matter if there's anything there or not.  They will look.  However, our lives should be lived as Daniel's was.  We should be so "straight" before God, that in order for them to "find occasion against us" they will have to make rules or laws contrary to those that God has already made.

When the world takes that action against us, if we remain steadfast, they will ultimately find out that they have not made rules against us, but against God.  They aren't challenging us, they are challenging God to break the rules.  Daniel was cast into the lion's den for praying to his God.  God's rules for a heart turned toward Him violated man's rule.  In a nutshell, God broke their rules.  

Challenge the world today and as they seek to "find occasion against you," make them make God break the rules in order to do it.

Carlen