Daniel 1-2, Job 18, John 12:20-36, 1 John 5:13-21 

Daniel 1-2:

The book of Daniel—of great fame and fantastic storytelling ability—calls us also to faithful bravery, even in the midst of opposition. “Dare to be a Daniel.” At the same time, it also calls us to focus on the true and greater Daniel, Jesus Christ, who really sacrificed himself for us and withstood all the attacks of the enemy on our behalf. 

The first chapter, worthy of careful attention and frequent reading, is structured deliberately around an oft repeated phrase: “And the Lord gave” (1:2, 9, 16, 17). The message is that the exile was under God’s providence, as was Daniel’s bravery and the favor that Daniel earned as a result. What a difference it would make if we could look at the ups and downs of our lives, both negative and positive, as that which “the Lord gave”! It is all under his hand, by his dispensation, for his glory, and for our good—the Lord gave! Can you focus on that this morning? This situation that you are in is what the Lord gave! 

Chapter 2 is the first of the great dreams which Daniel interprets. Its message is clear because God is a God who interprets it for Daniel. 

Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might (2:20). 

And the ultimate message points to God’s eternal kingdom: 

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people (2:44). 

Because of Daniel’s faithfulness, he and his friends are promoted and honored—and God gave not only the dream, but the interpretation of the dream, and utilized both for the favor of his people. Daniel was faithful and brave in the midst of adverse circumstances, and under God’s good “gift,” those circumstances were used by him to advance his kingdom and honor and do good to his people. 

Would you this morning be faithful to God, trust him, knowing that all is under his sovereign command and is what the Lord gave?