Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Available and Faithful
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Available and Faithful
Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, continued a tradition of God using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Joseph was a carpenter in Nazareth and was part of the Davidic ancestral line. We also know he was a “just” (righteous) man. Though we know little of his life after the birth of Jesus (Luke 2:41), it appears he may have been alive at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry (Matthew 13:55) but died by the time of the crucifixion (John 19:26-27).
Consider what Joseph went through when he discovered Mary was pregnant before they were married! His first impulse was to do what was best for Mary by saving her from public humiliation. Then when he discovered that her Child was of God, he married her and established a family in which the Child would be loved and nurtured. He taught Jesus the skill of carpentry (Mark 6:3) and apparently raised Him “in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Luke 2:41-52; Ephesians 6:4).
We don’t need to be famous to be used by God. Like Joseph, we only need to be available and faithful.
It is better to be faithful than famous.
Theodore Roosevelt
For Your Phone or Tablet
Official Mobile App and Lock Screens
Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.
You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:
-
King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
-
Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
-
Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
-
Roman Empire
When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).
-
Future European Coalition
This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).