While reading the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel came across a very important detail. The exile of his people was about to come to an end.In response, this is what he did: “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:3).This … Continue reading Pleas for mercy—with fasting
daniel
The right attitude in prayer
In Daniel 9:18-19, this inspiring man of single solitary devotion gives us an example of the ideal attitude we should have in prayer.This is what he says: “For we do not present our pleas before you because of our righteousness, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive. O Lord, pay … Continue reading The right attitude in prayer
Faithful and true, no matter what
“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).In the previous devotional we asked how Daniel was able to manage all of that hardship.He was sent into exile as a young man. He had most of what he had known and loved taken from him. He was forced to … Continue reading Faithful and true, no matter what
Prayer and perseverance
Lately, we’ve been spending time studying Daniel.Over the past few weeks, we have considered all the difficulty he had gone through. As a teenager, he was taken captive to serve in a foreign land. His home was most likely burned. Many of his family members and friends would have been killed. He was probably castrated … Continue reading Prayer and perseverance
God uses faithful servants—no matter their age
“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!’” (Daniel 6:16)When you picture Daniel in the lion’s den, what do you see? A young vibrant man full of vigour and prayerful bravery?As I often tell … Continue reading God uses faithful servants—no matter their age
Loyalty matters in more ways than you think
This week we have been exploring the bravery and faith of Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We have been using their experience to ask important questions about our own faith today.These three young men refused to bow down to the king’s statue. But why?In the Ten Commandments God says: “You shall have no … Continue reading Loyalty matters in more ways than you think
Having an “even if” kind of faith
It was a ruthless time. Daniel’s three friends—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—were threatened with death. If they didn’t bow down to the king’s statue they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. The king gave them one last chance—bow or burn.In response, this is what the young men said: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, … Continue reading Having an “even if” kind of faith
When governments and kingdoms let you down
In Daniel 2, the king of Babylon has a puzzling dream. God reveals the meaning to Daniel, who then explains it to the king. In short, the king has seen a big statue made of different materials: gold, silver, bronze, iron, and clay.At the end of the dream, a stone (or rock) hits the image and … Continue reading When governments and kingdoms let you down
Pray—as a first resort
In Daniel 2, the Babylonian king issued a death order. Since some of his “wise men” couldn’t tell him his dream or it’s interpretation, he wanted to kill them all. Yikes! It was literal insanity.Since Daniel and his friends were among the class of wise men, they too were in danger. After learning what was … Continue reading Pray—as a first resort
The darker the dark, the brighter the light
“…he [God] knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him” (Daniel 2:22).The darker the dark, the brighter the light. Imagine being in a well-lit room in the middle of the day. There are a lot of windows. You hold up a torch. It will definitely bring extra light. After all, it’s a … Continue reading The darker the dark, the brighter the light
