Tag: Daniel

December 28 – Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding

“Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, For wisdom and power belong to Him. It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.” – Daniel 2:20-21 (NASB)

As we continue seeking and finding promises from God in each book of the Bible, we come to Daniel. Daniel was one of the young men who were taken into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. One night the king of Babylon had a disturbing dream he couldn’t remember. His own council of wise men failed to tell him the dream or its meaning. Daniel was called upon for the task. God revealed to Daniel both the king’s dream and its meaning. Daniel didn’t claim any credit for he believed in God in heaven could reveal this mystery (Daniel 2:28). We find a promise for all and all time in these words by Daniel to the king. God is absolutely sovereign over all people and all things. We sometimes hear “times have changed” as an excuse for our thought and behavior.  Yes times change but God never changes nor does His Word. When times change it is God who allows them to be changed or changes them. All wisdom, knowledge, and understanding comes from our Lord God. God removes and sets up the world leaders, even those who despise God. Nothing that is has ever surprised God.

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January 3 –When Resolutions Matter

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” …”At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king’s food.” – Daniel 1:8, 15 (ESV

In this passage Daniel made a resolution of great importance. It required wisdom and character to stick to it. It’s a great story and worth reading. Daniel and three named friends* were in the first group of exiles taken by Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem to Babylon in 605 B.C. These men were very young and likely 14-18 years old. The king of Babylon wanted the best and he wanted them made ready for court. They were served the best of all food and drink which were against the Law of God. Daniel was devoted to God and he was frequently tested. This was the first test. It is the best time to establish the boundaries of what you will stand for, what you will and will not do. Daniel, seeking to keep his resolutions and the Law, asks for consideration from those over him. He and his three friends are tested for ten days eating a diet of vegetables and only drinking water by their own request. The test proved that their way was better. Avoiding the restricted foods and drink, They proved their faithfulness. When our faithfulness is tested God will help us maintain our faithfulness to Him.  

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* Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach and to Azariah Abed-nego. Daniel 1:6-7

But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, Daniel 1:11

The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they bentered the king’s personal service. Daniel 1:19

January 14 – Walk Through Safely


“He said, “Look! I see four men loosed and walking about in the midst of the fire without harm, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!”” Daniel 3:25 (NASB)

IT was none other than the Son of God. That Great Shepherd of the sheep saw three of His faithful servants in peril, and He came from His Father’s presence. He had with His Father’s to be with them in it. He had been watching that terrible attempt to burn the faithful. His tender pitying eye saw that they were condemned to death because of their loyalty to Him. With one great leap He sprang from the Father’s presence, from His palace in glory, right down into the fiery furnace, and was by their side before the heat of the fire could come near unto them. Jesus was with His servants as the flames wrapped around them. He would not allow a single hair of their heads was singed. They were not scorched; not even the smell of fire was upon them. We can almost fancy I hear them chanting the promise God had given through Isaiah: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you. (Isaiah 43:2 NASB)

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Thanks in part to: A Living Daily Message From the Words of D. L. Moody selected by Emma Moody Fitt; Copyright 1900 by Fleming H. Revell Company, now in public domain.