Over the past several months we have been spending some time with Daniel. When he was captured, he was most likely around 15-years-old. At the end of the book, he was in his late 80’s or early 90’s.After the Babylonian captivity had formally ended, many of his people were allowed to return to their homeland. We … Continue reading Being a part of a plan even when life isn’t going as planned
daniel
Keep believing and keep going
[Request in footnotes]~In these devotionals not only have we been spending time with Daniel, but we have been spending time thinking about the big picture hope we have as the people of God.The Bible tells us the large-scale narrative arc of human history. Although there are many problems in the world, and although sin and … Continue reading Keep believing and keep going
From the first day you humbled yourself before God
In Daniel 10:12 he was given this angelic message: “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”In this verse we are specifically told that God heard Daniel’s prayer. But … Continue reading From the first day you humbled yourself before God
Pleas for mercy—with fasting
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
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
