Undefiled
Read: Daniel 1:8-21 Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food. (v. 8) Of all the ways Daniel could have testified to his faith, he chose one almost certain to make him unpopular. Daniel, as a matter of conscience, subsisted only on water and vegetables. Why did Daniel draw this potentially […]
In the King’s Service
Read: Daniel 1:1-7 The king commanded . . . some of the people of Israel . . . to stand in the king’s palace. (vv. 3-4) The book of Daniel is a story of exile. Daniel and his friends were taken from their home in Israel and forced into the service of the Babylonian king. […]
Resisting the Devil
Read: 1 Peter 5:6-14 Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (v. 8) Christians often make two equal and opposite mistakes with respect to the devil. The first is giving the devil too much respect. Did you notice that Peter refers to the devil as “your adversary”? The […]
No Surprises!
Read: 1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you. (v. 12) If you are reading this devotional somewhere in North America it may be difficult to feel the force of Peter’s warning. He sees fiery ordeals coming for all who follow the Crucified […]
Sober to Pray
Read: 1 Peter 4:1-11 The end of all things is near; therefore be serious and discipline yourselves for the sake of your prayers. (v. 7 NRSV) Every biblical author addressing the end of all things agrees about this: it will be frightening! So Peter reasons further that we must be serious enough and disciplined enough […]
A Ready Defense
Read: 1 Peter 3:8-22 Always be ready to make your defense . . . (v. 15 NRSV) Among the finest students I have ever taught are the brave and zealous men and women from the great African country of Uganda. The names of Stephen, Titus, Millie, Latimer, Asaph, and many more rise from my lips […]
A Family Affair
Read: 1 Peter 3:1-7 . . . so that nothing may hinder your prayers. (v. 7 NRSV) How we need the encouragement and moral direction Peter offers husbands and wives today. When the Lord saw Adam alone in the Garden of Eden, he announced that this wasn’t good (Gen. 2:18). So from Adam’s rib God […]
Beloved and Urged
Read: 1 Peter 2:11-25 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable. (v. 12) Peter was assuming several things as he wrote to Christian brothers and sisters in his day, and I am certain he would make the same assumptions about us in our day. He assumes that (1) we will live in exile, (2) the […]
Chosen for a Reason
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-9 But you are a chosen race . . . (v. 9) What enormous encouragement is lavished upon Christian believers in just one verse. We are called chosen, royal, holy, and as if that were not enough, God’s own people. Out of all the people of the earth God has chosen one […]