The noble young Israelite Daniel is... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And … he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Daniel 6:10

The noble young Israelite Daniel is brought to Babylon as a prisoner by King Nebuchadnezzar. The king has him trained with several companions for service at his court. Later, through his God-given ability to interpret dreams, Daniel reaches a very high position in the Babylonian Empire. Also under the king’s successor, Persian King Darius, Daniel again holds a high office. When Darius wants to give Daniel even more power, however, some opponents enter the scene. They persuade the king to issue a decree directed against one of Daniel’s habits – his prayer to God, which he performs three times a day.

But Daniel ignores the decree, even though he knows how despotic the rulers of his day are and that they often demand god-like worship from their subjects. Woe to the one who opposes them!

What makes Daniel put his life on the line? Daniel has a close relationship with the “God of heaven”. He knows that his God is greater than King Darius. He is sure that God is by his side even now and he wants to honour Him at all costs. And the Almighty indeed intervenes and saves him – not from being thrown into the lions’ den, but from the lions. What a miracle!

Perhaps we ask ourselves with this true story: Waiting for miracles, isn’t that unrealistic? Of course, Daniel did not know beforehand how God would intervene. But he confidently placed his fate in the hands of Almighty God. How many believers have entrusted themselves to this God in their distress and have experienced miraculous help! It doesn’t have to happen the way it did for Daniel, because God has countless ways in which to help us. Only, like Daniel, you really have to lead your life consistently with this God.

Today’s reading: Ezekiel 1:1-21 · Psalms 113 u. 114