September 14, 2026 Devo

September 14th, 2026

Powerful Words from the Prophets
“At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.” – Daniel 1:15-17 (NLT)
“Position Yourself for the Blessing”

“In the world, but not of the world.” Do you remember that teaching of Jesus? Daniel and his friends personified this perfectly in Daniel 1. Having been taken captive to Babylon, Daniel and his friends were recruited to serve as officials in the king’s court. Quite an honor for the Jewish prisoners. Part of their preparation was to make sure they looked fit and healthy by feeding them the king’s food—much of which was forbidden to the Jews. People of lesser character might have “bent the rules” to gain favor and not jeopardize their opportunity. But Daniel and his friends stood their ground and asked to be fed only acceptable vegetables and water, and then to be compared to the others who were being fed the rich food of the king. When the ten days were over, the difference was obvious. They were allowed to keep their required diet, and they were brought into the king’s service.
But notice, too, in the passage that their obedience caught the eye of God as well. Look how God responded to their steadfastness: “God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.” They gave God their allegiance. God gave them His Special Blessing.
“Obedience opens the door for God’s blessing.” That becomes a theme throughout the Book of Daniel. It won’t always come immediately, and it won’t always come in the way you expect it, but it WILL come. Whenever we compromise our integrity for advancement, it comes back to haunt us. There may be short gains that we enjoy, but those pale in comparison to living in the light of God’s Favor. As long as we live “in the world,” we will be tempted to do things the world’s way. But don’t. Stay true to who you are in Christ and do what HE wants you to do. God hasn’t called us to fit in. He’s called us to STAND OUT. Position yourself for the blessing. That’s God’s Word for you today.