Daniel Devotional Chapter 1

The book of Daniel begins with God’s judgement of Judah because of her sin.

Daniel 1:1 ESV

1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

Daniel’s life was thrown into turmoil, hardship, and uncertainty. Most likely this judgement was not the result of Daniel’s sin. His life was “destroyed” (humanly speaking) because of the sins of others. We are tempted to despair when our lives are turned upside down, especially when we suffer because of someone else’s sin. We are tempted to doubt God. We are tempted to think God has forgotten us, or doesn’t care about us, or that He is treating us in an unfair manner. But God does not make mistakes. And God providentially uses even the worst trials in our lives for good. You see God’s providence all over the place in the first chapter of Daniel.

God’s Providence:

God allowed Daniel to be born during the downfall of Jerusalem (v. 1)

God caused Daniel to be born into a family of elevated social standing (v. 3)

God gave Daniel a handsome appearance and a high level of intelligence (v. 4)

God gave Daniel wisdom to rightly apply the knowledge he had learned (v. 4)

When you consider all of the details that had to be true about Daniel in order for him to be taken captive to a foreign land you must concede that God’s plan all along was for Daniel’s life to be upended. God was the one who moved Daniel from Jerusalem to a foreign land.

And what happened to Daniel the moment he got to the land of Shinar? The king commanded that the new captives be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans. They were to be educated for three years. Think about sending your young son to a secular campus where he will be taught a godless worldview. Think how potentially devastating three years of that kind of education could be! Apparently, Daniel received such a good education from his family while he was growing up in Jerusalem that even three years of the most intense godless brainwashing had no effect on Daniel’s heart. Also, God was graciously at work in Daniel’s life equipping him, promoting him, and placing him exactly where God wanted Him! Read v. 9 and v. 17 and underline God’s grace working in Daniel’s life! Wherever God sends you He will also equip and grace you to accomplish His will!

And what was the end result of this apparent tragedy in Daniel’s life? At the end of three years Daniel stood before the king and he was ten times greater in wisdom and understanding than any of the magicians and enchanters of the court. God promoted Daniel and gave Daniel favor with the most powerful man in the world. I’m sure Daniel didn’t expect that when his home was destroyed. Daniel had to trust God for three years without really knowing what God was doing. In the end God proved Himself faithful and good and wise beyond human understanding!

What situation are you going through this week? Are you facing a significant trial? Are you tempted to doubt God? Remember how God providentially worked in Daniel’s situation. Believe that God can do a similar work in your life. Lean into God and put the full weight of your trust in Him to work in your life in ways you haven’t begun to imagine!