MEDITATIONS
FROM DANIEL
May 30 , 2007
Reading
"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed … he prayed”
Daniel
A study of the great men of God in the Old Testament can be very rewarding to the Believer to day. See the courage and strength of men like Daniel who stood firm in his faith in the days of apostasy. Daniel was a man who bowed the knee and would not compromise.
My soul, when Daniel “knew that the writing was signed,” he did something about it. He did not call his friends to discuss the pros and cons of the matter, he went home, knelt down on his knees, and prayed. The man that is walking with God knows what to do. The man that dithers and sits on the fence, and is one thing today and another thing tomorrow, is not walking in the will of God. Such a man is double-minded and unstable in all his ways. You have a personal relationship with God.
“The
steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way” Psalm 37:23.
Daniel knew what he must do because it was something he did habitually three times a day—he prayed. He prayed knowing it was against the law of the land to do so. Where the laws of the land are in keeping with God’s law, you have to honor that law, but when that law is in opposition to the law of God, you must obey God no matter the consequences. You must always obey God rather than men. You must refuse to compromise your spiritual life.
Daniel prayed openly; he was not a secret Believer. How can you be a secret Christian? Will the world not know you have been made a new creation in Christ? Will the light of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ not be seen? If you are walking with Jesus Christ others will know it. Two men walking down the road will both be seen by the onlooker.
He did not put on an open display because of the circumstance—he did it every day. It was his practice. He did not wait until a problem came along to pray. The one who prays only in the light of trouble is not a man of God. One who is walking with God prays when the sun shines as well as when the storm is overhead. He prays when all is going well as well as when he is surrounded with difficulties. Daniel not only prayed, he gave thanks. Imagine giving thanks when you know you are going to be thrown into a den of starving lions!
Daniel was the chief of three
presidents. He prospered in the land of his captivity. He was third in
succession to the throne – Daniel
Here was a man of God who did not
compromise his faith one iota no matter the circumstance.