Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes - Day 11
Day 11 - Monday, July 08
Read Daniel 1 & 2
Highlight
The book of Daniel begins with the story of four young men—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are taken captive from Judah to Babylon. We know from the account that these four were chosen for specific reasons. They were children of Judah, the royal tribe, and probably of the house of King David. They were particularly gifted both with physical strength and skill as well as mental acuity. They were young, which King Nebuchadnezzar hoped would mean that they were moldable. We can see his clear attempt to assimilate them into Babylonian culture by giving them new names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Surely Nebuchadnessar’s intentions are that these young men will forget their people, their god and their culture and become tools in his hands for his own glory.
While it’s clear that these four young men are exceptional in some obvious, tangible ways, they are clearly at a disadvantage. Make no mistake, though they are given access to physical comforts in the courts of the King far beyond what they probably knew in their own country, they find themselves in a foreign land with foreign customs and gods. They’re young, separated from their families and their people surrounded by people who don’t speak their language and see them as inferior. They’re slaves in a gilded cage.
Despite their circumstances, they resolve to remain faithful to the God of Israel, and from the beginning of their story we see His hand at work to use impossible circumstances to do the unimaginable through these unlikely heroes.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
Read Daniel 1 & 2
Highlight
The book of Daniel begins with the story of four young men—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—who are taken captive from Judah to Babylon. We know from the account that these four were chosen for specific reasons. They were children of Judah, the royal tribe, and probably of the house of King David. They were particularly gifted both with physical strength and skill as well as mental acuity. They were young, which King Nebuchadnezzar hoped would mean that they were moldable. We can see his clear attempt to assimilate them into Babylonian culture by giving them new names: Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Surely Nebuchadnessar’s intentions are that these young men will forget their people, their god and their culture and become tools in his hands for his own glory.
While it’s clear that these four young men are exceptional in some obvious, tangible ways, they are clearly at a disadvantage. Make no mistake, though they are given access to physical comforts in the courts of the King far beyond what they probably knew in their own country, they find themselves in a foreign land with foreign customs and gods. They’re young, separated from their families and their people surrounded by people who don’t speak their language and see them as inferior. They’re slaves in a gilded cage.
Despite their circumstances, they resolve to remain faithful to the God of Israel, and from the beginning of their story we see His hand at work to use impossible circumstances to do the unimaginable through these unlikely heroes.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying about God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth? Who could you share this story with and how God is speaking to you about it this week?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8).
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