Daniel’s Attitude Of Gratitude??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #406

I know that sounds a little strange for this season, but I want us to consider all that we learn from one of Daniel’s prayers!  I want us to be confident in the knowledge of not only what our God does, but who He is in character, nature and sovereign control. He is trustworthy and worthy of our praise and gratitude.

The context of this passage is Daniel’s first encounter with Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams; a dream which the King had that disturbed him, and when none of the wise men of Babylon could interpret it, for he couldn’t even remember what the dream was about, and when they couldn’t tell him what the dream was much less what it meant, he called for them all to be put to death—including Daniel and his friends (read all of chapter 2 for the whole picture, but for our purposes we’re only going to look at Daniel and his friends response to the impending death threat…).

“Then Daniel went to his house,

and made the thing known

to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:

18 That they would desire mercies

of the God of heaven concerning this secret;

that Daniel and his fellows

should not perish

with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.

19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel

in a night vision.

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times

and the seasons:

he removeth kings,

and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom

unto the wise,

and knowledge

to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth

the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what

is in the darkness,

and the light

dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee,

and praise thee,

O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me

wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now

what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us

the king’s matter.”  Daniel 2:17-23

May we think on these things, and be like Daniel, who was devoted to his God even in the midst of great trials in being taken captive to Babylon!  Oh, how we fail to praise God so often because of our trials, our difficulties, our challenges, our often-confused minds; seemingly because we live in a world gone crazy!  We live in a culture that is rejecting God at almost every turn; may we be like Daniel and set our hearts and minds to stand pure before our God; as these four young men committed to be faithful to God regardless of what others did!  I see so many claim Jesus’ name in their doings, but it is so often steeped in the bragging on what they have seen, or done, or claiming and/or blaming God for any and every kind of issue.  Here we have four devoted young men—devoted to not defile themselves with the worldly attachments around them!  What are you attached to?  When you claim Jesus’ name whether in blame or credit, is your life aligned with God’s Word?  How can it be if you don’t know what He has said or called us to?

Are we humble or proud?  Are we modest or flamboyantly worldly in our dress, speech, and self-aggrandizement?  It’s your call but remember there is a test—and it’s a test that will be by God’s Word not popular vote or opinion.

“But Daniel purposed in his heart

that he would not defile himself

with the portion of the king’s meat,

nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs

that he might not defile himself.”  Daniel 1:8

Here we find a young man whose heart was set on pleasing his God—and then behaving in a manner of humility, respect and submission to God’s will for him.  Such a contrast to much of what we hear in Christendom today—the ability to make demands on God and man, for profit, popularity, or arrogance is not knowing what Jesus tells us is the mindset that we ought to have.

“After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done in earth,

as it is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:9-10

How it grieves my heart to hear people pronouncing God’s name over their own earthly plans to suit themselves; forget that Jesus clearly tells us we are to pray and seek “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done…” in all our ways!  If He promotes me, fine.  If He keeps me in humbles circumstances, so be it!  I want His will, over mine with God’s Word being the judge in all things.

“For the word of God

is quick,

and powerful,

and sharper than any twoedged sword,

piercing even to the dividing asunder

of soul and spirit,

and of the joints and marrow,

and is a discerner

of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature

that is not manifest in his sight:

but all things are

naked and opened

unto the eyes of him

with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,

that is passed into the heavens,

Jesus the Son of God,

let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest

which cannot be touched

with the feeling of our infirmities;

but was in all points tempted

like as we are,

yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly

unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy,

and find grace to help

in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:12-16

When you’re not sure, dig into The Word!  Scripture tells us right here that we will find help when we need it, when we come to that “throne of grace”, remembering that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword”!  It is a sword that will guide us to truth—God’s truth, not man’s!  We can fool others, even ourselves—but God knows our heart!   I encourage you to dig into HIS Word and then adjust your life to HIS Word as needed—not the other way around!  Let’s be Daniels in a world full of Nebuchadnezzars!  I’m grateful—how about you!  Put on that attitude of gratitude!

Amen and Amen!!!