DCLM Higher Everyday 13 May 2024 — Route To Greatness – Part 1
Topic: Learning: Route To Greatness – Part 1
Text: Daniel 1:1-4
1In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
3And 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;
4Children 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.
Key Verse: “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” (Daniel 1:4).
Message
It was Dereck Bok who said, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” A man’s relevance to his world is directly related to his acquired skills and the value he adds to life. When anyone stops learning, he becomes less valuable and soon becomes undesirable. We cannot give to others what we don’t have. J. F. Kennedy hit the nail on the head when he said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education.” The king of Babylon instructed Ashpenaz to select young men for training in the tongue of the Chaldeans from among the Jewish captives. For qualification, they should be dexterous in all wisdom, astute in knowledge and understanding science. He also spelt out the purpose of their training: to stand before the king. We need to acquire basic knowledge from relevant institutions to qualify for positions of greatness.
God’s children must not be satisfied with mediocrity. He promised He would make you head and not tail. We can attain that by acquiring relevant skills that will position us to compete favourably with others.
Quote: Acquire basic knowledge
Challenge: We cannot give what we don’t have.
Prayer for today: Oh God, make me relevant to my world, in Jesus’ name
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
