FAITH CAPSULE: One, who sits on the past, will not be able to stand for the present. 

Daniel 1

In the journey of life, looking back to painful occurrence in the past is taking a step of not letting the past be in the past. Looking back is a way which hinders one from moving forward unto a gainful occurrence. When it was time for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, by virtue of their sin, God separated Lot and his family for total deliverance. On the escape route, the word commanded Lot and his family stating, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.” (Genesis 19:17) The command was clear but it could not clear Lot’s wife from her self-destructive act against God’s command when she looked back against God’s command. She could not let go the past for the future to unfold itself. Is there any situation that’s holding you back on the past for your future not to be unfolded? Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)
One, who sits on the past, will not be able to stand for the present which leads to the future. Daniel, despite being a young man in captivity, refused to take a sit on the past. Daniel could have entered into complaining and questioning why God allowed him to be trapped in captivity. Daniel, however, chose to remain focus on God and did not allow captivity to captivate him. He took a stand and, “…purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”(Daniel 1:8) Daniel’s situation could have become more of convenient by virtue of the king’s delicacies which were assigned to him, but he rather made the decision to continue in his commitment to God. Daniel denied the past occurrence by maintaining his focus on his purpose of his heart for God. He sought God but did not get himself stocked by looking back to his past occurrence just like Lot’s wife did to herself.
Daniel demonstrated wisdom, Lot’s wife demonstrated foolishness. Those who know God shall walk fully in line with His direction. The truth is that Daniel knew his God and God knew him. It was evident in the life of Daniel that, “…the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits.” (Daniel 11:32)  Daniel demonstrated time and time again that his focus was only on God and God’s favor to Daniel lasted all through the days of Daniel’s life.

Prayer for today: Ask God that His grace shall see you through and no past occurrence shall cause you to be terminated.