Daniel 1:1-21
Thursday, 18 November 2021
“And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand…” -Daniel 1:2
The recent political upheavals in various parts of the world have set many on edge and others trying to find answers where it’s all heading to! The Christian who has put his trust in the God of the universe is not to be shaken by any of these as we look to “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:15). We look to Him who shapes history according to His plan and purpose!
To us who have put our trust in God, it would do us good to see things in perspective. Today’s reading point us to how the hand of the Lord shapes history! The key verse says “the LORD delivered the king of Judah to their enemies.” God’s plan was unfolding in causing the enemy king to invade the nation of Judah and in bringing Daniel and his friends to the land of Assyria. Note also V.9: “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill…” Vs.17 says, “As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom…” See how God is very much involved in the history of the nations and the lives of men- especially those with whom He has specific purpose to accomplish! In the following chapters of Daniel, we see how the story unfolds and how these committed men of God were used by God to influence kings and even make a pagan nation acknowledge the Living God!
As we look around us and to our own lives, let us anchor our trust in:
God who knows the end from the beginning: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.” (Isaiah 46:10). He knows our yesterdays, today and our tomorrows! Nothing takes Him by surprise!
God who works everything according to His plan: “…the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will…” (Eph.1:11). When our lives are aligned in His plan, we can rest assured He works everything for our good!
God whose purposes will ever stand: In Isaiah 46:10 God says again, “…My purpose will stand and I will do all that I please.” Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” It is no use making your plans outside His as they are futile and will yield more sorrow than joy!
God whose counsel is immutable: Hebrews 6:17 says, “Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel...” Romans 11:34: “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” The answer is: No one! It is always wise to heed His counsel especially given in His Word!
In our reading, we find that Daniel made a resolve (V.8), as his faith was grounded in God Almighty! Throughout the book we see the resolve of these 4 men of God to stand for Him and God honoured them.
Dear friend, reflect today whether you have entrusted your life to this Living God or you are trying to run it on your own. Do the messes you see in yourself and around you make you apprehensive of what the future holds? The God who shapes history can shape your life as He is your Creator! Would you acknowledge Him and the way He has set to get back to Him?—Jesus Christ His Son!-“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—“ (John 1:12) Give Him your life and watch Him shape history including your life!
Think on: “Do not look to your hope, but to Christ, the source of your hope.” — Charles H. Spurgeon
Listen: ‘Jesus hope of the nations’