READING: Daniel 6:1-28, Daniel 9:1-27, 2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1:1-11, 1 Chronicles 3:17-19
I am a kid today as I read the selections from the book of Daniel. I feel like the elementary school child learning about Daniel for the first time and being amazed at his spiritual faithfulness and fortitude. So many things catch my attention:
- He so walked with God that the king found in him an “extraordinary spirit” and his enemies could find no wrong in him: “he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.” (Dan 6:4)
- He prayed anyway—just like he had been doing daily—even after the king signed an edict that no one could pray to other gods for thirty days: “The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” (Dan 6:10)
- He was innocent before his God and before the king, and he trusted God even when his faithfulness landed him in the lion’s den: “When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.” (Dan 9:23)
- He identified with his people and genuinely confessed their corporate sin before a holy God: “We have sinned, done wrong, acted wickedly, rebelled, and turned away from your commands and ordinances.” (Dan 9:5)
- He fully understood the relationship between God and His people (including God’s willingness to answer prayer) was based on God’s love alone: “For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion.” (Dan 9:18)
- He was unafraid to cry out to God with zeal: “Lord, hear! Lord, forgive! Lord, listen and act!” (Dan 9:19)
- His faith in his rescuing God was so real that even King Darius ultimately offered praise to Daniel’s God: “For he is the living God, and he endures forever.” (Dan 6:26)
I was actually not a kid, but a teenager when I first heard the story of Daniel. I wanted to be like him right away back then. Now, at age 61 and having read the story many times, I still do. Perhaps even more.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: What part of Daniel’s story most encourages you?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, make me a follower who trusts You even if it costs me. Make me a witness of Your power.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ezra 2:1-4:5, 1 Chronicles 3:19-24