A GOD THAT IS ABLE -- Monday:
Daniel is one of the few men in Scripture against whom no sin is recorded. Joseph is another. Both of these men spent the prime of their lives in a foreign land, among people who did not worship the Living God. The absence of a record of their sin does not mean they were sinless. It does mean they are notable examples of avoiding sin under very difficult circumstances. It is possible to live holy in an unholy environment.
Daniel was enslaved during the Babylonian captivity, which was a punishment from God. King Nebuchadnezzar was used by God in the besiegement of Jerusalem and the capturing of the people. Recognizing that some of the Jewish boys taken in the captivity were gifted, Nebuchadnezzar instructed the chief of his court officials to select certain of the captives for special training. The qualifications were exacting. They were to be "young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king's palace" (Dan 1:1-4). Four young men were selected from "the sons of Judah," estimated to have been 12-15 years of age. They were "Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah." The latter three are better known to us as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, names given to them by king's chief.
Daniel served under four kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Cyrus, and Darius. He was always noted for his faith, prayer, and wisdom.
During the reign of Darius the Mede, he made Daniel the first of three presidents, or administrators, over his kingdom (Dan 6:2). It is written that Daniel "was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." As a result, some of his jealous peers sought to find some cause of blame in him, that they might accuse him before the king. Because of his faith, "they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him" (6:4). Seeing it was futile to find anything against Daniel, his enemies reasoned, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God" (6:5, NIV). It was then that they prevailed upon the king to pass an irrevocable law that forbade any petition to be made to God or man. All requests must be made to the king. The penalty for violating this decree was being thrown into a den of lions.
Upon hearing of the decree, Daniel went home, went to his upper room, opened the window, and prayed to God while facing Jerusalem. He did this three times that very day, as was his custom. He was not threatened.
You remember the outcome. His enemies "found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God," and reported it to the king Darius. When the king heard these words, "he was greatly displeased with himself," and sought throughout the entire day means to deliver Daniel. Unable to find a way to deliver him, and being hounded by other governors, he gave a commandment, and Daniel was prepared for casting into the den of lions. The king, however, spoke a personal word to Daniel before the deed was consummated. "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." Having cast Daniel into the lion's den, a stone was placed over the mouth of the den, and sealed with the king's signet, making the decree unchangeable (6:13-17).
Returning home, the king had a bad night. He spent the night in fasting, unable to sleep and refusing any soothing musician's intervention. Early in the morning, Darius ran with haste to the lion's den and, in a lamenting voice, cried out to Daniel. "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" After ascribing honor to the king, Daniel acknowledged God was not only "able," but had sent his angel to "shut the lion's mouths." He then added a most arresting explanation: "because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you" (6:18-22).
Rest assured, "all things are possible with God," and He is fully able to deliver you. But it is surely in order for you to give Him a good reason to deliver you by being found "innocent before Him." That is worthy of much thought!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask for grace and strength to live in such a manner as to so please You, that You Yourself will find joy in delivering me.