datethewordtest

Tag: Daniel

  • Verse to DATE the Word on September 4 (9/4) is Daniel 9:4

    “And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those
    who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,” – Daniel 9:4
    Approaching God with Adoration of who He is!

    As Daniel is appealing to God for God’s people with a broken heart let’s not miss the APPROACH as his prayer begins with ADORATION.  He acknowledges to God how GREAT and AWESOME He is! This acknowledgment goes back to what Moses had said about God in Deuteronomy 10:21 as he stated “He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.  David acknowledges the same high description in 2 Samuel 7:23 stating, “And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name — and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land — before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods?” The Psalmist would direct praise in Psalm 99:3 saying, “Let them praise Your great and awesome name — He is holy.”
     
    As we think about our prayer life, please remember that HOW YOU THINK ABOUT GOD DETERMINES HOW YOU PRAY!   From Daniel’s prayer of Daniel 9:4, Daniel knew two crucial things about God.  1. that God was POWERFUL.  2. That God is a PROMISE KEEPER.  This would impact what he would ask as He knew what God’s character was.  

    Learning to pray means learning not just HOW to pray but learning about WHO you are praying to.  

    Daniel’s approach to God is so revealing of how we should approach God as we come boldly to the throne of grace in times of need.   From Daniel and other OT saints, we learn we must always approach our awesome God with adoration before asking for anything.

    Verse to DATE the Word on September 4 (9/4) is Daniel 9:4. It 9:4 says, “And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, “O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,”

    Important TIP for praying:   Adoration precedes asking!

    Continue strong with a dynamic prayer life!  
    And remember to DATE THE WORD!

  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22

    “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not
    hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king,
    I have done no wrong before you.” – Daniel 6:22
    Daniel’s trial turned into a testimony of triumph.

    Anytime the name Daniel from the Bible is mentioned one of our first thoughts of him is Daniel in the lion’s den. Recalling this story means remembering why he is there. Daniel was a man that is described as a man of firm convictions (we know this from Chapter 1) and he had a conviction that he was to pray, openly pray to God three times a day.  Wicked men used that against him, and he finds himself sentenced to die a gruesome death by ferocious lions. 

    Our verse to consider tells us of his response to the king who had sentenced him to die as to whether Daniel’s God had saved him. I have always found it interesting that the king believed that Daniel would survive being thrown to the lions, believing it so much he came to the lion’s den and asked.  Daniel 6:20 says, “As the king came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”  To this question comes the answer “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6:22)  The short answer is, “You better believe HE did!” (my paraphrase)

    Daniel’s response shows us how Daniel’s trial was turned into a testimony of triumph.

    You know, without a doubt, Daniel would rather have not had to face the lions, but wicked men had wicked intentions bringing about this trial.  One can imagine the fear Daniel must have had yet one might also consider the faith Daniel had.  It is clear from his testimony that as he faced the lions he was not alone.  I wondered if Daniel utter a prayer as he entered the lion’s den based on Psalm 35:17.  Psalm 35:17 says, “How long, O Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their destruction, my precious life from the lions!” Maybe or maybe not?  What we do know is God sent His angel to SHUT THE LION’S MOUTHS!

    Because of what God did do for Daniel the king was able to hear Daniel’s testimony of God’s amazing work and protection!!  

    Friend, you may not be treated right for doing right as the world is bound to hate you. With their persecution comes God’s presence and protection!  Their attacks provide opportunities for you to stand firm for your faith as well as share your faith.  Their wickedness provides you an opportunity to witness. 

    So, today your newest trial is to give God an opportunity to make HIS story through you even stronger.  Let us be reminded that God is in the business of turning trials into triumphal testimonies!

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 22 (6/22) is Daniel 6:22. It says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

    Continue Strong knowing God turns your trials into triumphal testimonies,
    And remember to DATE the Word
  • Verse to DATE the Word on June 3 (6/3) is Daniel 6:3

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 3 (6/3) is Daniel 6:3

    “Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials
    and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king
    planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” – Daniel 6:3
    Dare to Distinguish yourself like Daniel 

    The life of Daniel is definitely one to learn from and yes, emulate. As a teenager, he purposed in his heart to live according to the commands of God.  We all should have Daniel 1:8 memorized and be applying the principle of establishing convictions. (In case you need a refresher, Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”)  Not only was he guided by principles, but as challenges came, he prayed, praying fervently for God to give discernment and understanding.  He handled himself with great calmness in the face of crisis.  Another of my favorite verses about Daniel is Daniel 2:14.  With the executioner coming to kill him and the wise men of Babylon we read, “Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact.”  One version says he spoke with “prudence and tact.”  In other words, he kept his head so he could keep his head!

    When we get to chapter 6 Daniel faces the challenge of a new administration.  Daniel 6 tells of the reign of Darius and how his administration would work.  As they looked for candidates to serve in the new administration Daniel “distinguished” himself above others BECAUSE there was an “EXCELLENT SPIRIT” within him.   This excellent spirit can be translated “that he had exceptional qualities” (NIV) or that he had an “extraordinary spirit.” (NASB)  The idea is that he did things REALLY WELL.   His work was thorough and it was covered with integrity.   The king and others could see decisions were being made with great discernment.  Daniel brought a lot to the room when he walked in and the king realized he needed a man like Daniel in a high position.  

    As we think about this description of Daniel I would like to point you to a verse in Proverbs.   It is Proverbs 22:29.  It says, “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.”

    Does your work STAND OUT?  Do you strive for EXCELLENCE?  I trust you are not like the lazy in whom you find their hardest work is coming up with excuses.  I believe we, as believers, should be known for excellence, not excuses. 

    Verse to DATE the Word on June 3 (6/3) is Daniel 6:3. It says, “Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

    How are you as a believer distinguishing yourself?  Is it with EXCELLENCE?  Or is it with excuses?  Be known for excellence, not excuses.   Dare to be a DANIEL!

    Continue Strong with an excellent spirit,
    And remember to DATE the Word

  • Verse to DATE the Word on January 8 (1/8) is Daniel 1:8

    Our verse to DATE the Word on January 8 (1/8) is Daniel 1:8
    Daniel 1:8 says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
    Daniel is one of the most recognized people in the Bible.  The book that bears his name tells of a long life that is marked by him being a man of INTEGRITY!  When you get to chapter 6 and read the familiar story of Daniel in the lion’s den you read of a man of impeccable character.  When enemies sought to find “dirt” on him their conclusion was “they could find no ground for complaint or any fault because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.”  (Daniel 6:4)  He was a man of integrity.  

    When examining his exceptional life, one might and should ask what the “secret” would be to living such a life of integrity.   I think the secret is found in our verse to date, Daniel 1:8.  In Daniel 1:8 we have a decision made based on his Biblical CONVICTION.  Daniel had PURPOSED (NKJV);  DETERMINED (HCSB, NLT); MADE UP HIS MIND (NASB) RESOLVED in his HEART (ESV, NIV); to NOT do anything that would DEFILE himself before God.  

    His CHARACTER was chiseled by his CONVICTIONS!   

    It is from this verse, Daniel 1:8, that we get one of the most important spiritual principles for being men and women of integrity, of high character one will learn. The principle from Daniel is TEMPTATIONS MUST BE MET WITH CONVICTIONS! 

    TEMPTATIONS MUST BE MET WITH CONVICTIONS! 

    Our decisions are made based on the decisions we have made!  Joseph had decided that he would not participate in immorality and when tempted by Potiphar’s wife he says “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”  Jesus made decisions to resist the temptations presented to Him by the devil by quoting back SCRIPTURES as reasons for resisting.  Daniel’s decision to not defile himself led to the decision to NOT participate in doing something that would defile himself.  

    TEMPTATIONS MUST BE MET WITH CONVICTIONS! 

    What are your convictions?  What has been decided that when you need to decide you can say that decision has already been made?   What needs to be DECIDED?

    On a personal note, I have found Psalm 101 to be helpful in establishing convictions.  I have also found Psalm 15 to be helpful.  I will let you read Psalm 15 on your own but notice Psalm 101 and pay close attention to the “I will” statements.
    Psalm 101:1  «A Psalm of David.» I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O LORD, I will sing praises.
    2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way. Oh, when will You come to me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.  (ESV – “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house;”)  3 I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness. 5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. 6 My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall serve me. 7 He who works deceit shall not dwell within my house; He who tells lies shall not continue in my presence. 8 Early I will destroy all the wicked of the land, That I may cut off all the evildoers from the city of the LORD.

    David has now made decisions that when it comes time to make the decision the decision has already by made.  (BTW – many believe this was written after his sinful behavior with Bathsheba.)

    More than writing out RESOLUTIONS I challenge you to write out CONVICTIONS!  And then when temptation(s) comes you meet that temptation with a BIBLICAL CONVICTION!

    Verse to DATE the Word on January 8 (1/8) is Daniel 1:8. It says, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

    Continue Strong with established convictions,
    And remember to DATE THE WORD