What are the things that strike you about Daniel as a servant of the king?
AFTER THE MEDES TOOK OVER the Babylonian empire, King Darius ruled the various provinces through 120 satraps (governors). Daniel was appointed as one of three presidents (overseers) over the satraps and he distinguished himself over everyone, because “an excellent spirit was in him” (v.3), and “he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him” (v.4). Two observations here: (1) Although Daniel was likely around 80 years old, he gave his best in his work. Probably because he regarded this leadership appointment as an assignment from God, not man. (2) Whether Daniel was under Babylonian or Persian rule, he excelled and flourished in his service. Probably because he considered himself as ultimately serving God, not man. We see that Daniel held these things tightly: duty, excellence, service, faithfulness and integrity. But he held lightly his personal well-being, even his very life. The king’s edict rang loud and clear: no petition to anyone else except the king for 30 days, or else be fed to lions (vv.6-9). Daniel, despite being loyal to the king, had a higher allegiance to God. He would not change his usual prayer practices (v.10). Thus, Daniel fully expected to face the lions − he was prepared to lose everything. He cared little for self-promotion and self-preservation. It was better to have the freedom to live with nothing to prove, nothing to hide and nothing to lose. Friends, we are prone to choosing poorly what to hold tightly and lightly, respectively. The result is that we become unnecessarily self-adsorbed and anxious. It is when we choose wisely that we can live godly, fulfilled and rested lives.
What is one thing that I have been holding tightly but need to hold lightly? And what is one thing that I have been holding lightly but need to hold tightly?
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
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What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?
What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.
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