If you have ever taught in children's ministry, you likely have a familiar tune pulsing through your head. It's a good one! Daniel is someone I look up to. When we meet Daniel in Daniel 1:6, his people have been attacked. Nebuchadnezzar asked for good looking and sharp boys to be brought back to his kingdom to serve as his attendants. They grab Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego. This story inspires me much like Joseph. Forced into slavery as a young man he could have questioned God, turned inward and become bitter. Instead, one of the first things he does is campaign for vegetables and water because he didn't want to defile himself. Daniel 1:9 states that God caused the chief officer to be kind and sympathetic towards Daniel. This is a great example of a pattern that develops. Daniel and his companions are unbendingly faithful to God. As such, God sends provisions. Here it is favor. In Daniel 3 when Meshach, Shadrach and Abednago refused to bow to a statue and worship it, God saves them when they are thrown in a burning furnace. A furnace burning so hot that the attendants that threw them in were immediately burned up. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walked out unsinged. The Bible states they didn't even smell of fire! Provision, but the scripture that really grabbed my heart this week was that of Daniel 6 where Daniel was praying despite a royal decree that no person should pray for 30 days. If they were found praying they would be thrown into the lion pit. Daniel 6:9-11 gives us his reaction. He went back to his room to pray as was his custom... Typically he did this three times a day. He knelt in front of an open window, facing Jerusalem, to give thanks to God. I am thinking it is likely that most people would have prayed in their heart? It was only 30 days. There were lions... Clearly not acceptable to him. It is suspected this man was better than 70 when this happened and he was getting down on his knees three times a day to talk to his Father. Nothing was going to change that. Challenged? I am. The people conspiring against him spied on him knowing he would not compromise his faith and he didn't disappoint. They did throw him in the lions den, but once again God sent a provision. In Daniel 6:22 he tells King Darius that God sent an angel to shut the lions mouths. In Daniel 6:23 it says, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. In 6:24 those who conspired against Daniel and their families were thrown to the lions. Before they hit the bottom of the pit they were attacked. Prayer is a privilege. In Deuteronomy 4:7 it says, “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? We are blessed with the ability to talk to our Father in Heaven, the Creator of the universe. So many people if given the chance would jump at the opportunity to talk to the President, a celebrity, etc. Many of those people have faith in God, but don't take the time to talk to Him or thank Him, like Daniel. When problems arise so often the knee jerk reaction is to call a friend, maybe a Pastor. These are not bad options, but isn't our Father in Heaven, the best place to start? Conversely, when good things happen, how often do people chalk it up to good luck stealing the glory from God, rather than like Daniel getting down on their knees and saying, "thank you Father." In Mark 1:35 we can see Christ's example of prayer as in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Prayer is important. It is transformational. It is a vital part of our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Rob and I recently watched a movie called War Room. Awesome movie. The Kendrick brothers were inspired by their faithful mama. The story in the movie centers around an older woman of faith encouraging a younger struggling wife to fight for her family on her knees. I was inspired by an ornate wall hanging she had that said "Answered Prayers" and had once blank lines filled in with many of God's blessings. I thought, What a great and lasting way to encourage future generations by reminding them of what God has done in our lives. Good reminder for me too! I love and was encouraged by Daniel's example of prioritizing his relationship with God and daily time with Him. I hope you are encouraged as well. Thoughts and comments welcome!
Dare to be a Daniel Dare to stand alone Dare to have a purpose firm Dare to make it known
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