I have to say it… This is a week I’ve been looking forward to! Daniel is one of my favorite books in the Bible, probably because I’ve done three studies on it. You should see my Bible. It falls open to Daniel automatically, and the pages are dark with the ink of my notes. So much prophecy in this book… and so much has already come true. Don’t get me started, or we’ll be here all month. My favorite Daniel verse is simple, and I’ll share it in a second. But first, please drop down to the comments and share the verses from Daniel that touch you the most. I love seeing your insights!
Daniel 2:28a–But there is a God in heaven…
Stop right there. Just stop. All of Daniel boils down to this phrase. All of the Bible boils down to this phrase. Let’s just say it now… Everything boils down to this phrase. This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, one I find myself saying a lot. It doesn’t matter how insane life gets or how out of control the world seems, “there is a God in heaven.” That will always be true.
Know how you have those life verses that you cling to when it seems like nothing is stable? Well, this is mine. It’s like a deep breath after you’ve held your breath underwater for too long. No matter what curve ball life smacks you with, this one thing is always true. It makes me think of the Rich Mullins song (which Third Day covered in their typical amazing fashion) “Creed.” It says, “I believe what I believe, that’s what makes me what I am. I did not make it, no it is making me. It is the very truth of God and not the invention of any man.” Know what I believe? You guessed it…
“There is a God in heaven.”
-JB
Dawn Lucowitz says
Daniel 1:8 – But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
What I love about this verse is that Daniel wasn’t conforming to the way of the world. Even in the most difficult of circumstances, he made a decision and stood firm in it. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of doing what everyone around us is doing, even when it’s not God’s will or desire for us. By not standing up for our beliefs in word and action, we are just conforming. Especially when things are not natural for us we must make decisions ahead of time and then when we are faced with tough situations, we are already prepared.
Jodie says
This is a hard one, and I love that we have Daniel’s example here. I just wish I did better at it sometimes. I LOVE the idea of making decisions of how we will behave ahead of time. Waiting until we are in the moment makes it harder to make the right choice.
Jen says
I couldn’t really narrow it down to a single verse this week, so I’ll go with a passage instead.
Daniel 9:20-23 – While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and making my request to the Lord my God for his holy hill- while I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you…”
What I love about this passage is that both Daniel and Gabriel make it clear that the answer came as a result of prayer. I used to think that praying meant talking to God, and while we are called to “pour out our hearts” to Him, I’ve learned over the years how much listening is actually involved. It’s amazing what kind of “insight and understanding” we can receive if only we’ll take the first step and approach God in prayer. Such a simple thing to do, but one that has a profound impact on our lives! (And I loved verse 18 right before this, too…. “We do not make our requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy.” So true…. if only we realized what a privilege prayer is!)
Jodie says
I NEARLY chose this one. It was second place on my list. It is easy to think prayer happens in our own power, but this is such a great reminder that it’s not. And Daniel’s answer did not arrive immediately, but the wheels started to turn the instant he started to pray. That is awesome!
Jason says
Daniel is such an incredible book. The stories of overcoming adversity and staying true to the Lord in times of trial and just so incredibly encouraging.
Jodie says
It is one of my favorite books. It is so rich with prophecy and drama and deliverance… So much of who God is can be found right in Daniel.
Carol J. Garvin says
The focus is on Daniel in this book, but it occurs to me that there is something positive to be learned from Nebuchadnezzar, too. When his pride resulted in him being driven out of his kingdom he could have been resentful and bitter. Or he could have been meek and subdued, slinking back when he was restored. But instead he acknowledged that God had been right. He stood up to boldly “praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just.” (Daniel 4:37)
It’s not easy to admit you were wrong, but it’s important to give credit where credit is due.
Jodie says
I marvel at Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamation after he is restored. It is such an awesome thing. I have to admit, though, I always looked at it from the angle of how awesome God is and how He worked in an arrogant king. I had never considered it from the angle of admitting when you are wrong. I love that angle! You are right about him not quietly slinking back in. He proclaimed his wrong and God’s right. Thanks, Carol! That’s pretty cool!