NIV 365 / The Freedom of Obedience

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 186 of 365 The Freedom of Obedience My brother-in-law, Jack, spent a year as an officer in the Air Force. He was stationed on a base near Bangkok during the Vietnam War. He was married to my sister, Diane, and she was already pregnant with their first child when he was shipped out. Tammelyn was born a month after he began his tour of duty. Jack did not see Tammelyn or Diane for an entire year. He, too, faced the temptation of having absolute moral freedom while he was overseas. But he decided to remain faithful to my sister. He gave up his freedom, in other words, for something more valuable to him . . . I was there at the airport when Jack returned after his year away. I witnessed their glorious reunion, as if I was eavesdropping on a miracle. That moment will remain forever imprinted on my memory. Jack stepped off that plane, embraced my sister, and cradled his baby daughter for the first time. They were delirious with joy. Diane and Jack went on to build a good life together . . . I still think about Jack's year in Southeast Asia. I reflect on what it must have been like for him to say "no" to temptation, to give up the extraordinary freedom he had there, and to remain true to his wife and baby daughter . . . He had one kind of freedom, the freedom to live an unrestrained life, to "go where you want to go, do what you want to do, live how you want to live," as the advertisement for "Freedom" reads. But he gave up that freedom. He chose another kind of freedom, the freedom of obedience. I have observed with respect and appreciation what that freedom has produced in their lives, in their family, and in their community. That is the kind of freedom I wish for my life and my family. It is the freedom of living a life for God, of following God's will. The one pathway we must follow may limit freedom as culture defines it, but it gives us freedom as the Bible defines it. When we seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, we will do the will of God and experience true freedom. -Gerald Sittser Taken from NIV Men's Devotional Bible Daniel 1:8-17 Daniel 1:8-17 KJV 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.