EZEKIEL & DANIEL

Today is Friday.  Yesterday was Thanksgiving and a very relaxing day around our home.  Our married children were at their inlaws and we will have all of our children and grandchildren over on Saturday.  That will be our time of Thanksgiving.  We are looking forward to that.  I did not get out a blog yesterday and so I want to share two today.  Here is from the last chapters in Ezekiel and the first five in Daniel:

1) THE LORD IS THERE.  Ezekiel 48:35 ends with that phrase.  It is the last four words in the book of Ezekiel.  After all of the judgment that comes out of the book of Ezekiel, we see it ends up with God once again embracing His beloved city, Jerusalem, and calling it:  "The LORD is there." 

2) THE BEST-THE BEST OF THE BEST-THE BEST OF THE REST- All of these statements apply to Daniel.  In Daniel 1:3-4  "And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;  4  Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans."  These were the best children that Israel had to offer.  Daniel and his three friends were among them.  They were of the King's children or children of princes.  Royalty!  They were the best!  Then we see that after Daniel was kept on his diet which he humbly requested, that when they were finally tested, we find this:  Daniel 1:15  "And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat."  Now they were the best of the best.  The best four boys of the best of the kingdom.  But, God was not through with them.  We also see:  Daniel 1:17  "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." and... Daniel 1:20  "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."  Now, they are not just the best of the best of the children of Israel, but now, they are the best of the rest of the kingdom!  Wiser than all of the wise men!  My how God blessed!!  God can still grant you favor too!

3) PERSECUTED THEN PROMOTED- In Daniel 3 we see that the three friends of Daniel were thrown into the fiery furnace, and then after they were pulled out with no harm, it says:  Daniel 3:30 "Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, in the province of Babylon."  So they were promoted!  Often times persecution can proceed promotion.  In fact in every case, testing proceeds promotion.  It doesn't come easy, but once God tests us and we stand tall for Him, He promotes us!  Let this be a lesson for us to learn:  Your present persecution and trials is only preparation for your soon promotion!

Well, have a blessed day!  Pastor Mike Mutchler