Daniel

If you have never read through the Old Testament, I would highly recommend you read the book of Daniel.  For one thing, the prophetic material found in the book of Revelation cannot be rightly interpreted without a general knowledge of Daniel’s writing. This small book of 12 chapters is highly organized and by its intricate arrangement reveals how incredibly wise Daniel was. Daniel’s ministry covered the length of the Babylonian exile with his last dated prophecy made around 536 B.C. when he was in his eighties.[1]

---

What is amazing about this leader is that he was given favor and the highest authority as a young man serving King Nebuchadnezzar and, in his old age, under the Mede ruler Darius. It is likely that during the time Nebuchadnezzar lost his sanity that Daniel ruled Babylon.  His fame and credibility came from his ability to interpret dreams and to render sound counsel.  He gives us superb insight into what life was like for his Jewish countrymen and the challenges they faced living in a foreign land.  
 
Meditation
Daniel 2:23--I offer thanks and praise to You, God of my fathers, because You have given me wisdom and power. And now You have let me know what we asked of You, for You have let us know the king’s mystery.
            
The passage above is a great summary verse for the life of Daniel. He serves as a great example to us. Do we realize that God will give us wisdom and power?  James 1:5 says, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.”  Paul taught in 1 Corinthians 1:24--“Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God’s wisdom.”  Jesus promised us in Luke 21:14-16: 
"Therefore make up your minds not to prepare your defense ahead of time, for I will give you such words and a wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends. They will kill some of you."
            
God gave us the book of Daniel to teach us how to walk with wisdom and power.  That’s the beauty of Scripture.  So, let’s walk like Daniel and glorify Jesus—something to think about . . . in reveration!
 
Inspiration
We have to show people what God will do for us, not in our words and teaching, but in our life.  God help us to do it!—Andrew Murray in Absolute Surrender
 
©2019 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)

[1]Key Word Study Bible, AMG Publishers Christian Standard Bible, p. 1021