“He said,
‘Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light.’”
Daniel 2:20-22 NLT
“God help me.”
“I need you, God.”
“Heal me, God, take this thorn from my side.”
These three separate sentences came out of an old journal. The dates and circumstances were all different, yet as I reflected on the passages of writing I noticed I was always talking to God when I was in need.
Am I treating God like a genie or as my Savior?
How often do we come before God only to ask for things? Heal me, help me, please God, help me. Me, Me, ME.
It’s easy to fall into the habit of only talking to God when things are bad or you want things. It happens, that’s when life is going along smoothly, and you get busy. We stop making time in the mornings for your quiet time of prayer, Bible reading, and studying the Word. But how it all changes when the diagnosis comes in, the job is lost, the marriage is over, we go right back to Him.
Do you know the best part? He was there all along. He was with us in the good and the bad.
Daniel
In the book of Daniel, we meet a teenager who obeys God and is challenged by King Nebuchadnezzar – the king of Babylon – and is forced to make choices between obeying God or listening to the world (in this case, the king).
The king brought strong, fit, handsome, smart, and wise young men in to learn the language and literature of the Chaldeans. These elites were given choice food and wine from the King’s table and training, to groom them to serve the king in time.
Each young man was given a new Babylonian name. The change of name was a first attempt to “break” the men from their ways and God. The new names brought them into the worship of Babylonian gods. (Daniel 1).
It isn’t recorded that the name change affected Daniel or his purpose to pursue God. Daniel could have only pursued God when his name was Daniel but he didn’t. He didn’t allow others to change his relationship with the Lord.
Daniel continued to pray to God, through the good stuff (being picked by the King) and through the bad (being thrown into a furnace and lion’s den). He always sought God and His purpose for his life.
Even though Daniel was young, he knew where his strength and wisdom came from.
The one who made the heavens and the earth – God.
The verses today, spoken by Daniel himself, “He said,
‘Praise the name of God forever and ever,
for he has all wisdom and power.
He controls the course of world events;
he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things
and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light.’”
Daniel 2:20-22 NLT
Daniel says this after God provided him with the answers to King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. God saved him from doom and destruction. Even though Daniel says this after God saved his life, Daniel still chooses to worship him when trials happen.
In chapter 3 before the four friends are thrown into the furnace, Daniel tells the King, “‘But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:18 NLT).
Application
Daniel had a choice, continue being faithful to God or he could choose to worship the King and the gods of their culture. He stood firm on his beliefs and God delivered him from the burning furnace without a hair singed.
Do you praise Him in the storms of life, or just in the sunshine? Are you praising him while you are grumbling that someone else has what you think you need? Are you loving others as Jesus did? Do you tell God what you think should happen like he’s a magic 8 ball?
When the dark clouds begin to roll in, and things seem dire, when the furnace is hot and you don’t know what to do with your own strength, take Daniel’s advice and seek the Lord of Lords because He will provide.
Reflection:
When do you find it easiest to be faithful?
Is there an area of your life you need to turn over to God today?
Lord thank you for Your word and grace. Forgive me for the times that I doubt, help me to have the faith to trust You knowing You are in control. Guide and direct my thoughts, heart, and actions today. In Your name, we pray. Amen.
If you enjoyed this article, check out this one on Faithfulness Always Rises.
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This thought-provoking post leads the heart to self-examination which we all need. I do try to praise Him both in the good times and in the bad though the latter I admit comes harder. Thanks for reminding us of all these truths.
Thank you Susan!
A convicting and encouraging post. It’s so much easier to be faithful in the easy times. Though I do turn to Him when things are hard, it’s not with a heart of praise. Thanks for this!
Nichole❤️
Faithfulness is definitely my topic: God’s faithfulness and His calling to be faithful to Him in everything. Thanks for sharing this inspiring post!
Thanks Hadassah! Faithfulness is definitely your topic!
We are studying about prayer at our church right now – how much time we spend on requests and how much time we spend on adoration! This is exactly what we’ve been discussing. God is with us in our pain and in our joy! I am making a conscious effort of praising Him for His goodness all the time before requesting.
That sounds like a great study you are doing. Admiration over requests.❤️
This post is full of truth! I was just reflecting the other day how I used God like a genie in my past as I was writing a post for a group I write for. I’m so thankful God is still right there with us and works with us to realign our hearts so we will come to Him in the right posture of prayer– in the good, the bad, and the ugly. Love your prayer!
Traci thank you!❤️