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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise When you told Jeremiah to write all your words on a scroll so Baruch could read it to the people, you said, “Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin” (Jer 36:3 NIV). I praise you today as the God who longs to forgive! Hallelujah for the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away all my sin! Today in Your Word Today you told me about Nebuchadnezzar’s first siege of Jerusalem in 605 bc, and the subsequent exile of many of Judah’s finest young men, including Daniel. You gave Jehoiakim and the leaders of Judah one last chance to repent by having Jeremiah’s prophecies written on a scroll and read to the king, but Jehoiakim rejected your message and burned the scroll. This shows me that you give people every chance to repent before the end. Those who perish in judgment have only themselves to blame. Daniel and his three friends were exiled to Babylon for the rest of their lives. They were godly young men who paid the price for Judah’s stubborn refusal to turn from sin. Clearly, righteous living does not make me immune to the sinful decisions of others. Daniel made up his mind to remain faithful to you, even at great risk to himself. His appeal to the overseer is a great example of how to stand for the truth while respecting those in authority over me. When dealing with a similar situation, I should: (1) avoid being combative or contentious, (2) discern the true intentions of my authority, (3) if possible, design a creative alternative which will achieve their goals, (4) appeal to my authority in a respectful way, (5) pray and give you time to change their mind, (6) be willing to suffer, if necessary, for keeping my conscience clear. If Daniel, who was likely a teenager when taken captive, can obey you in such circumstances, then I too can stand firm in the faith! Reflection You rebuked Baruch for seeking great things for himself while you were being forced to destroy the city you had so lovingly planted. This is a gentle yet firm reminder that I need to keep my priorities focused on you and your work rather than on my personal goals and ambitions. Request Father, I can sense the pain and frustration you felt as you brought destruction on your chosen people. I don’t ever want to cause you such pain—help me to be faithful and obedient! Thanksgiving Thank you for the example of Daniel! He testifies to the sustaining power of your grace and the possibility of keeping myself “unstained from the world” (Jam 1:27). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Dare to Be a Daniel” — Philip P. Bliss. Meditation Verse: Daniel 1:8.