Advent DevotionalSample

The Story of Daniel

Miraculous survivals make compelling stories. Take Vesna Vulovic, who holds the world record for surviving the highest ever free fall without a parachute at 33,333 feet! After she recovered from her terrible injuries, her story became famous all around the world. While her story was an accident, Daniel’s story is one of targeted persecution. Daniel was persecuted for his uncompromising prayer life.

One often-missed detail about this story is that Daniel is 80 years old here, and he was simply continuing in his habit of prayer that he had practiced his whole life. He had a long history of obedience and miraculous deliverance from God, and every trial we face asks us the same question: will God deliver me this time? Maybe your history with God is long, or maybe it’s short. Whatever the case, every difficulty we face forces us to answer for ourselves, will I trust God again?

Daniel did, and maybe the reason God showed up for him so powerfully was his disposition. Every time Daniel faced difficulty, he glorified God and gave him all the credit.

Reflect

In what circumstance do I need to trust God today and give him the credit?

Pray

God, give me the humble disposition of Daniel. Give me the courage to face the difficult circumstances of my life and glorify yourself through my situation.