Small Straws In A Soft Wind by Marsha Burns:
These are days of evaluation, when you can review what is behind you in order to plan for what is ahead of you. Do this so that you can make informed decisions about how to proceed. But above all, seek My face for wisdom and direction, says the Lord. You can trust Me to direct your steps.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of a man plans his way but the Lord directs his steps.
Daniel 1
The Sons of the Captivity in Babylon
In the third year of the kingdom of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar
the king of Babylon came unto Jerusalem, and assaulted it. And the Lord gave into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, and from part of the items of the house of the Lord. And he brought them into the land of Shinar of the house of his god, and the items he carried into the house of the treasury of his god. And the king told Ashpenaz his chief eunuch to bring in some from the sons of the captivity of Israel, and from the seed of royalty, and from the nobles; young men to whom there is no blemish upon them, and good to the appearance, and perceiving in all wisdom, and knowing knowledge, and considering in intelligence, and ones in whom there is strength in them to stand in the house before the king, to teach them letters and the language of the Chaldeans. And the king set in order to them day by day from the table of the king, and from the wine of his banquet; and to maintain them for three years, and after these things to stand them before the king.
The Four Sons of Judah Tested
And there existed among them from out of the sons of Judah, Daniel, and Hananiah, and Mishael, and Azariah. And the chief eunuch added names to them; to Daniel — Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah — Shadrach, and to Mishael — Meshach, and to Azariah — Abed-nego. and Daniel put unto his heart so as in no way he should be polluted in the table of the king, and in the wine of his banquet. And he petitioned the chief eunuch so that in no way he should be polluted. And God granted Daniel for mercy and compassion before the chief eunuch. And the chief eunuch said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, the one arraying your food and your drink, lest at any time he should behold your faces looking downcast more than the boys, the ones of your contemporaries; and you should condemn my head to the king. And Daniel said to Melzar, whom the chief eunuch placed over Daniel, and Hananiah, and Mishael, and Azariah. Test now indeed your servants ten days; and let there be given to us from food of the seeds of the earth! and we shall eat of it, and water we shall drink. And let our shape be seen before you! and the shapes of the boys of the ones eating at the table of the king. And how ever you should behold, do accordingly with your servants! And he hearkened to them, and he tested them ten days. And after the end of the ten days their shape looked good and strong in flesh above all the boys eating at the table of the king. And it came to pass Melzar did away with their supper and the wine for their drink, and he gave to them food of the seeds. And God gave to them understanding and intelligence in all academics, and wisdom. And Daniel perceived in every vision and in dreams.
Daniel Stands before the King
And after the end of the days which the king told to bring them in, that the chief eunuch brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them; and there was not found from out of all of them one likened to Daniel, and Hananiah, and Mishael, and Azariah; and they stood before the king. And in every discourse of wisdom and higher knowledge, as much as the king sought from them, he found them ten-times more than all of the enchanters, and the magi, the ones being in all of his kingdom. And Daniel existed until year one of Cyrus the king.
August 31, 2024. And why do you think I have given you discernment? So that you can pray. Do not think more highly of yourself because you can discern men’s thoughts. It is a gift I have given you. It can sometimes feel like a curse because you just know things. Think about Jesus, He knew all but responded to almost nothing. His love and compassion was His driving force. Use your gift to pray and not judge.
Proverbs 2:2-3 “Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding;” Robin Robinson Bohlin
August 31, 2024. I know that over the last several weeks the enemy has turned up the heat. The days have been challenging and disappointing. Well…stand firm! The difficult times are nearing the end. As you move forward with Me you will discover the cool breeze of My Spirit bringing refreshing. Do not spend your time worrying about the past or the future. Today, allow Me to bring the end of one season and the beginning of a new one.
Daniel 2:21-22 “And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Jonas Bohlin
