Daily Devotion, March 25, 2020

Devotion:

Read Daniel 6:6-10.

Daniel displayed wisdom, discernment, trustworthiness and courage at all times. I believe Daniel knew those characteristics could only come from God and from time spent in prayer with God.

Daniel 6:3 says, “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” Daniel’s leadership skills were not only evident to King Darius, but also to the other administrators and satraps.

But the administrators and satraps were jealous of Daniel and they went to the King to devise a plan to destroy Daniel. A satrap’s main duty was to be sure the King would not suffer loss. But these administrators’ and satraps’ motives were self-seeking, rather than for protecting the King.

Daniel could have followed that crowd’s way of thinking, which was looking out for self. But through Daniel’s time in prayer, he knew his identity and purpose. He was given gifts of discernment and wisdom. Daniel knew he could trust God.

A friend’s Mom once said to her son, as she was dropping him off for his summer to be spent at the Governor’s Honors School in Georgia, “Don’t lose your head in a group situation.” I believe Daniel’s Mom may have said the same to him before he was taken into Babylonian exile.

When King Darius made a decree that any person who did not pray to him would be thrown into a lions’ den, Daniel knew he could not follow the crowd for this decree. He knew he must remain faithful unto God. We don’t usually think of praying as being dangerous, but in this situation, it would be.

Daniel courageously continued praying to God and the King had to follow through on his decree. When the King went the next morning to see if Daniel’s God had indeed delivered him from the lions, he was overjoyed! Daniel 6:21 says, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O King.”

Personal Worship Option:

What crowds are we following today? Would we be brave enough to defy King Darius’ decree and be found faithful in praying to God? May God grant us wisdom and discernment to be found trustworthy and courageous at all times.