Daniel 1-6

What can I say about Daniel, the guy had guts, he trusted in The Lord, and the Lord came through for him and his friends.  Daniel secret isn’t out of the reach of normal people like you and me, he simply obeyed God no matter what the consequence, and there were consequecnes.  Daniel because he wanted to obey God put his head on the chopping block at many occaisions, first was with refusing to eat the kings meat.  Daniel wanted to obey the laws God gave the Hebrews concerning food and apparently the kings table hosted many things unfit for a Jew to eat.  So at the expense of his own life he requested the prince of the eunuchs to allow him to eat something else.  God had already worked behind the scenes giving Daniel good favor with everybody, including the prince of eunuchs. The prince who loved Daniel heeding his wise offer to eat vegetables and water instead.  The kings meat was given to these scholars to fatten them up, but the pulse and water did better.

The next situation was trusting God to deliver their lives from the king.  The king dreamed a dream that no one could interpret so the king decreed the death of all the scholars, magicians, sorcerers ect.. whom Daniel was apart as a scholar.  Daniel and his three compadres could of tried something else like running or hiding, but they trusted in God to deliver them.  Not sure thats something I could do seeing there are other options to tried.  But thats why we have these true stories to reflect on the faith, courage, and wisdom of others.

Next they proved their love for God by not bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar’s ridiculous idol, which of course would cost them their lives.  When they refused to bow down the king hastily threw them into the furnace only to find they were not killed and the angel of The Lord had appeared with them in the fire.  I’m amazed at these means readiness to accept death if need be.  It is obvious they trusted God to deliver them, however they said “but if not, we still won’t bow to this false idol.”  The result of their obedience and courage was that God was glorified that day over the king.

Lastly, Daniel’s life was a risk yet another time with the lions den because he chose rather to obey God than men.  The kings pride had allowed him to decree that no one could ask a god anything without first coming to the king.  The men who advised this law to the king only wanted to see Daniel killed and the plan worked knowing that Daniel stayed faithful to God praying three times a day.  Other times wisdom had played a part in Daniels deliverance, but this time it was all on God.  God didn’t disappoint.  I don’t know what Daniel was expecting to happen as he was lowered into the lions den, but for Daniel to have God save him in times past, I wouldn’t be surprised if Daniel confidently knew The Lord would rescue him again.  It’s not just about God saving Daniels life from death, of course Daniel eventually died like everyone other man, but in these situations God’s name was at stake.  God shows up in our times of trouble, we know that every time He shows up our confidence waxes greater and greater in Him.  It produces a hope in our hearts that will never be ashamed knowing that God is a faithful shield to those who trust and obey Him.

I want my life to give God glory also, yet I don’t know if I have the courage like Daniel did to face the chopping block, or the fire, or the lions.  But The Lord is allowing us to go through hard stuff and He hasn’t dissapointed us, He’s always shown up.  We continfue to find the strenght we need from His word.  No other book can do that.  Help me Lord to be faithful and obedient to you for the Glory of your name!