Category: The Book of Daniel

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Take some time today to journal and reflect on the following questions:

In what ways have you seen God at work within you this week? Within your family? Within others you may interact with? 

In what ways have you resisted God’s work within you this week? 

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Daniel 3:25 “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, …and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is one of the most commonly told stories of the Bible. We may read it and have doubts that God could really do what He did, or we may read it and be amazed at what God had done. 

However, it may be best to read it and not consider how your life may be similar to or different from these three men. Instead, it may be best to consider how your life may be similar to king Nebuchadnezzar. 

In this event, king Nebuchadnezzar was seeking to make his own name great. He was getting his personal worth and value from what others said about him. He wanted people in his kingdom to do what he wanted them to do. He revealed what he thought of his own strength and maintained his power over others. 

You may not be king of a large empire, but every day you are tempted to live with the same desires and goals of which Nebuchadnezzar held dearly.

READING & PRAYERS:

     DANIEL 3:19-30 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Are there any ways in which you are currently desiring to make your own name great, or are getting your personal worth and value based on what others say or think about you? How may God be inviting you to think differently?

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.

Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that far too often I am seeking to make my own name great instead of seeking to reflect Your love and mercy upon the broken world around me. May I better reflect Your nature and character today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Daniel 3:14 “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?”

The culture we live in often thrives on defiance and retribution. Our movies, television, music, and books often share stories of somebody who was wronged plotting a path of revenge and retribution against those who wronged them. 

Because this is such a significant theme in our culture, it would be easy to read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and think, Yeah, that’s right! You tell those evil Babylonians that you won’t bow!

But we must remember that neither Daniel nor his three companions were living with a mindset of defiance or retribution. Up until now, they had all shown tremendous respect to those in authority over them. In Daniel 3, it’s likely they were still speaking with tremendous respect. Yet they knew they could not bow to something other than God. He and He alone was the center of their worship. He and He alone provided the path they chose to follow. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     DANIEL 3:1-18 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: When is a time somebody else asked you to do something that may have gone against God’s plans for your life? How did you respond? Would you respond any differently today? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Write down a list of a few things that help you experience peace and contentment in life. Then consider creating a plan that leads to you saying “yes” to these things more regularly and “no” to others. 

Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that sometimes I live in shame from my past mistakes. Help me to now wallow in shame, but instead simply learn from my former mistakes and grow. Continue to reveal the purpose You have for my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Daniel 2:27-28 Daniel replied, “No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

In Daniel Chapter 2 we see the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, ask for the impossible. He had a dream he wanted his wise men to interpret for him. But he wanted those same wise men to tell him what the dream was and to interpret it. In time, his wisest counselors acknowledged that this was something they could not do and only a god could do.

But then Daniel steps up and agrees with the king’s wise men. He tells the king that there isn’t a man who can do what the king has requested. “…but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” 

Interestingly, this experience leads king Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge that the Hebrew God must be greater than any little-g god he had worshiped (Daniel 2:47). But as the story progresses, Nebuchadnezzar continues to seek power and fails to continually worship the one true God. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     DANIEL 2:1-49 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: When you are struggling to make a major decision in life, who do you go to for help? Do you spend more time listening to God, or listening to others? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: Practice breath prayers throughout the day. Breathe in with the first part of the prayer, then exhale with the second. Some examples include: “Lord Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “Speak Lord, I am listening.” “You are the potter, I am the clay.” “Peace. Be still.”

Take a Step: Remember to continue utilizing the One Minute Pause app throughout the week. If possible, begin to explore and practice the 3, 5 or 10 minute pause to more deeply root yourself in Christ.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that I often seek inspiration from book and movies instead of seeking real transformation from You. Transform me from the inside out so I may better reflect Your nature and character today. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

It’s really difficult trying to imagine what Daniel and his friends were experiencing. Their nation was just consumed by the Babylonian empire. The governing officials of Babylon didn’t just take them into captivity, but also changed their names.

Later, the officials of Babylon are offering their very best; the same food served to the king will be served to Daniel and his friends. It’s seems odd that this is where Daniel and his friends offer some resistance. 

Think about it: they are removed from their homes, without complaint. Their names are changed, without complaint. And now they’re being asked to defile themselves by eating food that goes against their Jewish heritage. Certainly, the food was not kosher or had been sacrificed to idols. 

But their resistance was still not in the form of grumbling or complaining. They resisted with wisdom, kindness, and grace toward those in authority over them. 

READING & PRAYERS:

     DANIEL 1:1-21 (also read the commentary notes in your Study Bible of choice.)

QUESTION: Can you think of a time when somebody in authority over you asked you to do something that went against your deepest values? How did you respond? 

REAL LIFE PRACTICE: As you pray today, spend an equal amount of time listening to God as you spend talking to God. Perhaps listen even longer. Consider making this a part of your daily practices so you can discern God’s voice more clearly.

Take a Step: This week, consider utilizing the One Minute Pause app at least twice daily to begin practicing being with God and resting in His presence. The app is free, and is available on iPhone and Android devices. See pauseapp.com for details.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I confess that I often think I know what my deepest values are, but when I look at how I spend my time I can tell that I spend far too much time valuing things that go against your desires for my life. Help me, today, to value You above all else. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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