*DOMINION MANDATE DAILY DEVOTION*

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2020

*GENUINE FAITH IS TESTED*

*BIBLE READING: DANIEL 6*

*"Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter. Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Daniel 6:8-12(NKJV).*

We see in today’s Bible reading how difficult it was for Daniel’s adversaries to find a basis upon which to stand and accuse him – *“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Daniel 6:4-5(NKJV).*

In Daniel 6:10, one captivating aspect of Daniel’s marketplace ministry template is that, even after he had known that a law had been passed that would have him thrown into the lion’s den if he prayed to his God, he still went ahead and prayed as usual because he knew the source of his excellence in the marketplace. Nothing could interfere with Daniel’s relationship with his God; not even the danger of being thrown into the lion’s den. At the end of Daniel 6, God vindicated Daniel’s trust in Him and instead of being destroyed, he was promoted. Are you ready to stand and defend your faith in God and remain upright no matter how formidable the opposition in your marketplace is?

If you truly have faith in God, that faith will be tested someday in the marketplace with enticing promises, shortcuts and rewards. Will you be found morally upright as an ambassador of Christ and joyfully endure the trial of your faith which is geared to making you perfect and completely developed in your faith? *“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4(NKJV).*

In Matthew 4, we see Satan tempt Jesus and his most tempting offer to Jesus was the whole world only if Jesus bowed down and worshipped him; most times the enticing promises that the devil offers you to compromise in the marketplace is the carrot-and-stick but if you patiently endure and stand up for your faith, God will reward you. Hebrews 10:35 -36(NKJV) displays how faith works; *Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.* And in Hebrews 6:12 (NKJV) we are admonished; *That you do not become sluggish but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.*

The Word of God is replete with examples of men and women who had unwavering faith. Hebrews 11:26 tells us that, Moses esteemed the reproaches of Christ greater riches than all the passing pleasures of Egypt. And in Daniel 3, the three Hebrew boys cherished their faith above the death penalty they were to receive from Nebuchadnezzar. Without faith it is impossible to please God, faith is a weapon God has armed every believer with, genuine faith is tested, do not lose your faith. *“In this you rejoice greatly, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7(AMP).*

*PRAYER
•Thank God for His Grace that has kept you till date.

•Pray for strength in your inner man and the empowerment to stand for God in all circumstances no matter the threats or attacks in the marketplace, so that you will not sell out or bring reproach to His holy Name.

*CONFESSION
I will not cast away my confidence which has great reward because I have need of endurance so that after I have done the will of God, I will receive the promise.