Lately I have been enjoying reading through the book of Daniel. There are times when I find myself always reading New Testament books as there is so much meat and learning in them but when I do read in the Old Testament and really spend the time to look, I can find a lot of good stuff there too.I thought I would share some of the verses and thoughts that jumped out at me in the Book of Daniel.
I find the first chapter to be very inspiring where we read the story of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being taken from there homeland to a distant land and they were chosen by a foreign King to be trained to work in his kingdom. They were to be served the King's best food but it wasn't food that went along with what God had told them to eat so Daniel asked if they could be served just vegetables and water so that they would please God. They were allowed too and ended up looking and doing much better than they others.
In Daniel 1:17 it says: "And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams."
In verse 20 it says: "And as for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in his realm."
What jumps out at me here is how great God is and that when we seek and follow Him he will work through us. Daniel and his friends obeyed and not only were they healthier but God also incredibly blessed them with wisdom and knowledge. That wasn't theirs naturally it came as a gift from God.
I also really appreciated this prayer of Daniel in chapter 2 verses 20-22
"Daniel answered and said,
"Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
And 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.
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him."
How very true! And what comforting words for then and what comforting words for now in an era of uncertainty. God is always there and always in control.
There is much more neat parts of the book of Daniel and maybe I will share more on another day.
What is your favorite part of that book?
