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NOVEMBER 29
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, appears, you will receive the crown of glory
prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that that does not fade away.
they should present an offering and incense to 5 Likewise you younger people, submit your-
47
him. The king answered Daniel, and said, selves to your elders. Yes, all of you be sub-
“Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord missive to one another, and be clothed with
of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you humility, for
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could reveal this secret.” Then the king pro- “God resists the proud,
moted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; But gives grace to the humble.”
and he made him ruler over the whole
province of Babylon, and chief administrator 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the
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over all the wise men of Babylon. Also Daniel mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in
7
petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach, due time, casting all your care upon Him, for
Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of He cares for you.
the province of Babylon; but Daniel sat in the
gate of the king.
Psalm 135:15–21
5:6 under the mighty hand of God.This is an
15
The idols of the nations are silver and Old Testament symbol of the power of God
gold, working in the experience of men, always
The work of men’s hands. accomplishing His sovereign purpose (Ex.
16 They have mouths, but they do not 3:19,20; Job 30:20,21; Ezek. 20:33,37; Mic. 6:8).
speak; The readers of Peter’s letter were not to fight
Eyes they have, but they do not see; the sovereign hand of God, even when it
They have ears, but they do not hear; brought them through testings. One of the
17
Nor is there any breath in their evidences of lack of submission and humility
mouths. is impatience with God in His work of hum-
18 Those who make them are like them; bling believers. exalt you in due time. God
So is everyone who trusts in them. will lift up the suffering, submissive believers
in His wisely appointed time. See Job 42.
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Bless the LORD, O house of Israel!
Bless the LORD, O house of Aaron!
Bless the LORD, O house of Levi!
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You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD! 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adver-
21 Blessed be the LORD out of Zion, sary the devil walks about like a roaring lion,
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Who dwells in Jerusalem! seeking whom he may devour. Resist him,
steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
Praise the LORD!
sufferings are experienced by your brother-
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Proverbs 29:10 hood in the world. But may the God of all
grace, who called us to His eternal glory by
10 The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,
But the upright seek his well-being. perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forev-
1 Peter 5:1–14
er and ever. Amen.
The elders who are among you I exhort, I 12 By Silvanus, our faithful brother as I con-
5 who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sider him, I have written to you briefly, exhort-
sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the ing and testifying that this is the true grace of
glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock God in which you stand.
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of God which is among you, serving as over- 13 She who is in Babylon, elect together with
seers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for you, greets you; and so does Mark my son.
3
dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.
over those entrusted to you, but being examples Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus.
to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd Amen.
4
DAY 29: How are pastors to care for their congregations?
First Peter 5:2 gives this exhortation to the elders:“Shepherd the flock of God.”After the moti-
vation (v.1) comes the exhortation (vv.2–4).Since the primary objective of shepherding is feeding,
or teaching, every elder must be able to teach (John 21:15–17; 1 Tim. 3:2; Titus 1:9). Involved with
the feeding of the flock is also protecting the flock (Acts 20:28–30). In both duties, it must be

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