Just do the next right thing

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “The Great Adventure”

Our Bible verse for today: “But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.” Daniel 1:8 (NLT)

Our thought for today: “Just do the next right thing”

Did you know that there are only two major figures in the Bible to produce a completely positive record of their actions? It was Jesus in the New Testament and Daniel in the Old Testament. It won’t surprise you to learn that the record of Jesus is totally positive, but it is also true of Daniel too. Of course, Daniel was a flawed human being just like you and me and so he did sin. But the Bible records only positive things about him. That’s because he was a man of very high integrity and he lived a life that honored God – even in the middle of a wickedly evil culture.

Daniel modeled for us how to serve God faithfully in the middle of a culture that was extremely ungodly, and he did so at great risk and cost to himself. His obedience to God brought him into conflict with some of the most powerful people in that society, and more than once it almost cost him his life. But Daniel’s faith was such that he was confident and strong in the face of opposition, persecution, and injustice.

But that was then, this is now. Daniel lived three thousand years ago in a different time, in a different country, and in a very different culture. Does his example really apply to us today? Yes. Yes, it does. Biblical principles of honesty, integrity, righteousness, and courage are timeless and they apply to all people, in all places, and at all times.

I find Daniel’s example to be inspiring. Likewise, I have long admired and been inspired by the example of William McRaven. As a four-star Admiral, he was one of the highest-ranking SEALs in the history of the U.S. Navy. He is a courageous warrior, a man of strong faith, and he is a man of impeccable character and integrity. In his book, “The Wisdom of the Bullfrog: Leadership Made Simple (but not easy)” Admiral McRaven wrote, “Do the right things for the right reasons. Be noble when others are unprincipled; be honorable when others are shameless; live above the common level of life.”

That is one of the hallmarks of great men and women – they have the character, integrity, and courage to do the right thing, in the right way, and for the right reasons, and they do so regardless of the opposition they encounter from those around them.

As the people of God in the USA in our day, we live in an increasingly lost and wicked culture. This is a difficult time to openly and unapologetically live by and advocate for Biblical principles. But we can and we must. Daniel did it in his day and we can do it in ours.

In every situation you face today I encourage you to have the faith and the courage to simply do the right thing. Moment-by-moment and situation-by-situation just resolve to do the next right thing.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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