A LOOK AT DANIEL -- c h a p t e r. o n e
/So I have been reading through Daniel and wanted to share my thoughts with y’all!
CHAPTER ONE
Here were my thoughts on Chapter ONE! I encourage you to read Daniel Chapter 1 NLT version FIRST before this! And then you’ll have a greater understanding of my thoughts!
IT TAKES PLACE IN THEIR NORMAL BROAD WORLD CULTURE
Sometimes we think that in order to be used by God we have to go to bible college, or be in a situation, circumstance or “title” that is within a church context. It’s interesting that throughout Scripture no matter what book of the bible you’re reading, a lot of it is describing the setting in which God is moving and impacting lives, and it’s right in the middle of their “normal” world culture.
This story of Daniel, chapter one starts off describing a cultural political event wherein the King was looking to expand his staff at the palace— so essentially David finds himself selected for a job interview. That’s where this story begins!
DANIEL IS JUST GOING ABOUT NORMAL NON CHURCH THINGS
So here Daniel is, basically auditioning for a role (in modern day, you could apply this story to all sorts of circumstances, maybe someone auditioning for american idol, a job interview, a sports team)!
Daniel finds himself in the world, with an opportunity within cultural politics, that God is about to use him in HUGE ways to impact people.
DANIEL USES HIS NORMAL DAY TO DAY JOB / ROLE, TO IMPACT & INFLUENCE
Daniel goes about this job interview experience differently than others, he is living differently, by faith.
DANIEL DOESN’T USE HIS OWN TALENT OR STRENGTH— GOD GRANTS WHAT HE DOESN’T HAVE TO GET THE JOB DONE!
It actually says, “…God gave knowledge and understanding and all kinds of literature and learning. Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”
This was totally given by God and not something Daniel and conjured up, studied himself or gained himself. God GAVE Daniel exactly what he needed to step into what God had for him during that season— the successful role at the palace.
DANIEL DOESN’T NEED WHAT THE WORLD THINKS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED, RATHER JUST NEEDS TO LEAN INTO GODS LEADING AND PROVISION
Everyone was trying to BULK UP essentially on the palaces finer things while they were “auditioning” for this role. But Daniel avoided the finer things, to show that he didn’t need them in order to succeed but rather only needed the strength and provision given by God. Sometimes we think we need everything that the world is prescribing to us in order to get ahead, accomplish or succeed. Often times it may actually SLOW us down! We need to prioritize leaning into God’s strength & His direction & provision FIRST!
— Those are some of my notes from reading Chapter 1! I wonder what take aways you have! I’d love to hear from you and how you think these points may apply to your life too!
XX Ash
