Living for God in a Godless Society Part 2Sample

GIVE GOD CREDIT AT EVERY TURN

After time away in prayer, God gives Daniel an answer about the King’s dreams. The very first thing Daniel does upon receiving the answer is to praise God. Everything about Daniel’s praise points back to God. There is nothing self-serving about Daniel’s praise. He fully recognizes that apart from God, there would be no answers.

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. Daniel 2:20

It might be easy for us to think that, at some level, when things go right for us, or something good happens, it’s because of something we’ve done. The reality is this: Every gift and talent we have is because of God. Every answered prayer is because God has chosen to answer the prayer. When He shows up in our God-sized problems, it’s so that He would get the glory, not us.

We are not capable or wise enough to fix any of the problems we find ourselves facing on our own. Our only hope is in God. The apostle Paul, like Daniel, recognizes that anything we’re able to do in this life is because of God’s love and mercy. In his letter to the church in the city of Ephesus, Paul calls out God’s power and ability to do more than we can imagine, and in turn, He is worthy of our praise forever.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Ask Yourself and Reflect:

-How often do I stop to praise God for what he is doing when I’m in the midst of a struggle?

-Am I living my life for my own glory or for God’s glory?

-How can I be more like Daniel in lifting God and others up before myself?

Pause to Pray: Read Psalm 118 as your prayer and praise!

Take a Next Step: Call to mind a specific time that God answered a prayer you had prayed or gave you an answer you sought. Spend some time today praising and thanking Him for this great gift in your life. Make a practice of doing this daily!