“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
I have a question for us: “What do we require before we give thanks to the Lord?” Let me clarify that question. Do we need something good or pleasant to happen before we give thanks to the Lord?
Daniel was a very wise man and an old man. He was no doubt in his eighties or beyond when we read today’s Scripture. His wisdom and judgment caused the king to elevate him to a position of authority along with two others. Now the king planned to set him over the entire kingdom.
Jealousy arose in the other leaders who plotted how they could get rid of Daniel. They knew that he was so blameless and upright that they could only discredit him by something to do with his worship of his God, Yahweh.
They convinced King Darius to issue a decree that could not be altered; that no one could worship any god or man for 30 days except Darius. He must have thought Daniel was in agreement and signed the decree. By doing so, he unknowingly condemned Daniel to the lion’s den. You know that story, or you may want to read all of Daniel 6 to refresh your memory.
Here is the point I would like to make. With a visit to the lion’s den in the balance, Daniel prayed as was his usual practice. And what was his usual practice? Daniel prayed three times a day; on his knees; giving thanks to Yahweh and asking Him for help.
I want to stop right there. I could go into more detail but as you know I am having trouble with my computer and I am under a time constraint. But I want to challenge each of us with this passage: Do you have a consistent prayer life?
How would you pray if you knew that to pray would possibly mean that your life was on the line?
Would your enemies know that the only fault they could find in you was in the way you worshiped the Lord?
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today and be a blessing!
Insights on John is part of the 15-volume Swindoll’s Living Insights New Testament Commentary series. This newly revised and expanded edition draws on Gold Medallion Award–winner Chuck Swindoll’s 50 years of experience with studying and preaching God’s Word. His deep insight, signature easygoing style, and humor bring a warmth and practical accessibility not often found in commentaries.
ECPA Gold Award – Jesus taught with hands-on lessons and illustrations. TheHands-On Bible uses the same experience-based learning to communicate God’s Word in an active, understandable way. With hundreds of fun, memorable activities, the Hands-On Bible is packed with activities and experiences that invite kids to crawl inside the Scriptures and do God’s Word!
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