BE LIKE DANIEL
13th Nov 2019
A man in whom “the Spirit of the Holy God” is seen to dwell. I have been reading again the book of Daniel and find it so challenging. Daniel, in the natural, was highly intelligent, physically good looking and strong; but it was not those attributes that marked him out. It was that Daniel knew his God and relied on Him, not on himself.
He was a worshipper of God, refusing to bow to the heathen gods worshipped by the nation he had been exiled to. He was one who had such a sense of the true God, revealed to the Jewish nation, and such respect and fear of the Almighty, that he would prefer death rather than deny his faith.
He trusted in God’s ability to save, to reveal mysteries and dreams. He experienced hatred, jealousy and much opposition, but his connection with God was the source of his strength. He prayed three times a day asking for God’s help, and was given supernatural wisdom and favour. Morally, no one could find anything to pin on him, his reputation was impeccable.
In Daniel 5:14 Belshazzar says, “I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom….that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems.”
Daniel 6:4 states, “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.”
God is today looking for those who whatever the circumstances keep full of the Spirit of God, are living in heaven whilst on earth, have integrity in every part of life, and who are totally reliant on God to give wisdom and godliness whatever is thrown at them.
Daniel saw and experienced the Almighty Holy God, who is above human kings, who can elevate or dispose of powerful rulers, and was so evident in Daniel that the heathen king Darius confessed,
“For he is the living God
and he endures forever
his kingdom will not be destroyed
his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on earth.” (Daniel 6:26-27)
This is our God and His Spirit indwells all who are born again into his family. Rise up children of God and live as “Daniels” in todays needy world.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
