S – If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.”

Daniel 3:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:

The three showed absolute confidence in God, stating that their God was greater than Nebuchadnezzar and was able to deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment in a display of His superior power. Their words, the God we serve (cf. 6:16, 20), show they recognized that God’s authority was greater than the authority claimed by Nebuchadnezzar. Though they were employed by Nebuchadnezzar (2:49), they “served” Yahweh.

Their God demanded implicit obedience and had forbidden them to worship any other gods. One who obeys God is not presuming when he expects God to protect and deliver him. Obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they would still obey Him. Therefore they refused to serve Nebuchadnezzar’s gods (or worship the image he made, possibly meaning to worship him as god) even if it meant they would die

 “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Obedience comes with a price tag.  Sometimes, it causes you to stand out.  There are time it will cost you more than you expected.  With God, there is a reward for obeying His Word above all  the world offers.  When we are faithful and courageous, God will meet us in that step and demonstrate his presence and power.

R – Heavenly Father, you alone are God and there is no other.  Help us to obey your Word with faith and confidence.  We recognize the cost and still move toward you in obedience.  We ask for your presence and power in all that we do.

S – Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Proverbs 28:14 NIV

O – The person who fears the Lord is blessed because that attitude keeps them reverent.  When we lose that honor, we are left to our own ways.

A – The fear of the Lord does not repel us from God.  It draws us to Him.  Fear of retribution and anger makes us want to escape His discipline.  This happens due to a lack of relationships.  When we know God, reverence and awe draw us close to him because of his unlimited power and love.  There is still discipline but we know it is for our best.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We draw closer to you and want more relationships.  Discipline us as needed but don’t let us lose your presence and power.

S – Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor

 1 Peter 2:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

…A four-point summary of Christian citizenship. First, Christians are to respect (timēsate, “honor, value, esteem”; cf. timēn, “respect, honor,” in 3:7) … everyone (cf. Rom. 12:10; 13:7). Believers should be conscious of the fact that each human has been uniquely created in God’s image. Second, Christians are to love the brotherhood of believers, their brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s family members should love each other. Third, Christians are to fear God. The verb “fear” (phobeisthe) here does not mean to be in terror, but awe and reverence that leads to obedience (cf. phobō in 1 Peter 1:17, phobou in 3:16, and phobon in 2 Cor. 7:11). One will never truly respect people until he reverences God. Fourth, believers are to honor the king. “Honor” is from timaō, the verb used at the beginning of this verse. The respect or “honor” due to all is especially to be given to those God has placed in authority (cf. “the king” in 1 Peter 2:13 and “governors” in v. 14; cf. Rom. 13:1).

“1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – We live every day with people.  Each person has a value in God’s eyes.  We should treat them with the same value.  We can do this while maintaining healthy boundaries if an individual harms our well-being.  Overall, we can yield our desires and feelings toward a person to God’s sovereignty.

R – Heavenly Father, we see the scope of your unlimited power today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to empower us to value each person.  They are important to you and we will treat them accordingly.  Give us grace to do this in a way that honors our love for you.

S – But as the one who called you is holy, you also are to be holy in all your conduct; ¹⁶ for it is written, Be holy, because I am holy.

1 Peter 1:15–16 CSB

O – Commentary:

Holiness can refer to being blameless and without sin, but it also describes a person set apart for service to God. Here Peter cites the Septuagint version of Lev 19:2 to exhort Christians to lead holy lives. However, for Peter true holiness does not consist of keeping the law, but instead obeying the Father (1 Pet 1:17). Both in the ot and the nt periods, God calls His people to holiness—to reflect His character

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – We are to be blameless and set apart.  Both come down to the heart.  We want to obey God’s word because those are his instructions on living life.  We are set apart not in arrogance but in humility we get to “do life” with our creator.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy and powerful.  Empower us to walk out our calling of holiness.  We know we will not be perfect but we should be growing towards you.  Thank you for your love that calls us to a higher expression of you.

S – Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, ⁹ because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

1 Peter 1:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

God accomplished salvation through the work of His Son Jesus Christ. So the focus of a believer’s faith is not on abstract knowledge but on the person of Christ. The apostle’s warm heart overflowed as he spoke of the love and belief in Christ of those who, unlike himself, did not see Jesus when He walked on earth. Peter may have had in mind Jesus’ words: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Yet, though Christians do not now see Him, like Peter they love and believe in Him, and are also filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.

“1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – One day, we will see Jesus and God. It takes faith to love and worship something you cannot see, touch, smell, taste, or hear.  Yet, his presence is so real I do not doubt his existence or presence in our lives. That brings joy and peace.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship you.  Thank you for making your presence, power and peace so tangible, we know that you exist.  We are grateful that it goes beyond that into a relationship that is alive, vibrant and growing. 

S – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

Psalms 119:11 NIV

O – Commentary:

“word”.  The Hebrew word used here, imrah, is one of the eight terms for Yahweh’s directions in Psa 119. It often describes a pledge or promise, and can also refer to a word that should be obeyed (see vv. 67, 133, 158). The psalmist portrays himself as having internalized Yahweh’s directions at a deep level, which results in a consuming loyalty that envelops his will and his emotions

Faithlife Study Bible

A –We must know and apply God’s word in our lives.  It gives us the “plumbline” for us to live.  When we do this, we are empowered not to sin because of knowledge and a heart aligned with God.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for your word that gives us direction on how to live and build our relationship with you.  Help us to apply it to our lives.  Give us a hunger to know your word intimately.

S – Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 CSB

O – Commentary:

Like a magnet, the call for commitment has both positive and negative poles: submit … to God and resist the devil. “Submit” is a military term “to be subordinated” or “to render obedience.” “Resist” (antistēte) means “take a stand against.” Take a stand against the devil, and he will flee

“James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we obey God’s word, it is not debasing.  It is empowering.  That fuels us to be courageous and take the stand we need.  The enemy cannot defeat a believer who is in unity with God and aligned with his will and purpose.

R – Heavenly Father, we exalt you.  We surrender our will to yours.  We accept the fresh infilling of your Holy Spirit to be all that you created us to be today.  Give us the courage to stand and resist the devil.   We will walk victorious through you.

S – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.

James 3:17 CSB

O – Commentary:

The virtues James lists are predominantly nonselfish and nonaggressive; those who practice these virtues show greater concern for others than for themselves. They are the opposite of the vices described in vv. 14–16

Faithlife Study Bible 

A – It is interesting that wisdom from God shows a greater value and interest in others than in ourselves.  That is the heartbeat of Christ as he gave himself on the cross.  In seeking wisdom, it goes beyond the ability to answer questions or solve problems.  It speaks to loving the people who are part of the equation as well.

R – Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all praise and honor today.  We ask for divine wisdom from you that is Holy Spirit-led.  We know we will face challenges.  We want to have insight and application from our lifetime of experiences and conversations.  We choose to value others as you would in all we encounter today.

S – My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

James 1:19 CSB

O – The scripture instructs us how to interact with others – Listen well, allow others to have their time to express themselves and don’t get angry quickly.

A – How many disagreements would not happen if everyone followed this formula?  This is a great template for us to follow.  The key is listening.  The more someone else talks, the better understanding you have of what they think and where they stand on a topic.

R—Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you. Thank you for the practical wisdom that allows us to interact with others. We want to value them and grow. We also want to share what you have given us so they can grow as well.

S – Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

 James 1:2–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

It is the true part or approved portion of faith that produces perseverance. The testing refers more to “approval” than to “proving.” The word (dokimion) appears only here and in 1 Peter 1:7. Faith is like gold; it stands in the test of fire. Without this approved standard of faith, trials would not yield perseverance. There would only be ashes. True faith, like pure gold, endures, no matter how hot the fire. True faith therefore develops, or more literally “works” (katergazetai), perseverance or staying power. The noun “perseverance” (hypomonēn; cf. the verbal form in James 1:12) means steadfastness or endurance in the face of difficulties. 

“James,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – The walk of a believer is one of faith…true faith.  It must endure all tests and trials.  Either God is who he says he is – the one, true God who has a plan and a purpose for us and will work all things for our good.  Or, he is just a mirage of history and folk lore.  I believe and my faith says he is the one and only God…period.  I will align with his will and purpose for my life no matter the cost.

R – Heavenly Father, I surrender to your will and plan for my life.  No matter the trial or challenge, I set my faith in you.  I will endure whatever comes my way so that I can finish. the race you set before me.