Sunday · May 3
Daniel: Loyal To God
Daniel is one of the Bible’s mighty heroes. In Daniel 1 , we read: “But Daniel decided that God did not want him to eat the king’s food and wine. He knew that it [eating the king’s food and wine] might be [was] against God’s rules. So he [Daniel] asked the king’s special officer that he might not have [for permission not] to eat the king’s food” ( Daniel 1:8 , EASY). God helped Daniel and his three friends because they chose to be loyal to Him ( Daniel 1:17 ). Daniel was wise ( Daniel 1:20; Daniel 2:14, 21, 23, 48 ). God’s Spirit was in Daniel ( Daniel 4:9, 18; Daniel 5:14; Daniel 6:3 ). God loved Daniel very much ( Daniel 9:23; Daniel 10:11 ). These things show us that Daniel had a strong connection with God.
In Daniel 2 , King Nebuchadnezzar orders the captain of his soldiers to kill all the wise men in Babylon. Daniel prays for God’s mercy ( Daniel 2:18 ). Daniel asks God to show him the secret of the king’s dream. When God shows Daniel the dream, Daniel prays right away and thanks God.
Why did Daniel pray? What can we learn from his prayer? Read Daniel 2:20–23 for the answers.
As the years passed, several different kings controlled the kingdom. Daniel continued to serve the kings. Daniel “was very good [skilled and talented] at his job. Daniel was so good that the king wanted to make him ruler [manager] over the whole kingdom” ( Daniel 6:3 , EASY). “Daniel was a man people could trust. He did not cheat the king, and he worked very hard” ( Daniel 6:4, ERV ). Many people were jealous of Daniel because he had the king’s favor ( Daniel 6:5–9 ). But Daniel stayed loyal to God. He didn’t stop praying. He was not afraid of these evil men.
What do Daniel 6:10, 11 tell us about Daniel?
During hard times, Daniel prayed. People wanted to use Daniel’s prayer life as an excuse to kill him. But Daniel didn’t stop praying. He prayed three times a day at his open window. Daniel thanked God and asked for His mercy.
How does Daniel’s story show you that we have no good reason not to pray?