Dark Horses: Overlooked Heroes Day 15
Day 15 - Friday, July 12
Read Daniel 6
Highlight
We end this week on the most well-known story of Daniel. Under King Darius, Daniel rises again to a position of great authority, provoking jealousy among other officials and ending with him in the lions’ den. At this point Daniel has been in captivity for almost 70 years and he has seen the rise and fall of kings and the conquest of the Babylonians. There must be nothing that surprises Daniel anymore, but note the reaction of King Darius who is overjoyed to find Daniel alive and decrees that everyone must fear and revere the God of Daniel. Daniel’s faithfulness continues to defy all the odds and draw the lost to the one true God. And the power of God’s grace is made known through His unwavering faithfulness to Daniel and to the people of Israel, even in exile.
What follows in the rest of Daniel’s book are his visions. There are many possible interpretations of these dreams but as a whole the book of Daniel, including his own story, points to the sovereignty of God and His reign both now and in the Kingdom to come. Though Daniel, our unlikely hero, lives as a captive most of his life, he freely and boldly speaks a truth we can continue to hold onto today: God will not be mocked and there is no earthly king or kingdom who holds any power except by His will. One day His Kingdom will come and His will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
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 6
Highlight
We end this week on the most well-known story of Daniel. Under King Darius, Daniel rises again to a position of great authority, provoking jealousy among other officials and ending with him in the lions’ den. At this point Daniel has been in captivity for almost 70 years and he has seen the rise and fall of kings and the conquest of the Babylonians. There must be nothing that surprises Daniel anymore, but note the reaction of King Darius who is overjoyed to find Daniel alive and decrees that everyone must fear and revere the God of Daniel. Daniel’s faithfulness continues to defy all the odds and draw the lost to the one true God. And the power of God’s grace is made known through His unwavering faithfulness to Daniel and to the people of Israel, even in exile.
What follows in the rest of Daniel’s book are his visions. There are many possible interpretations of these dreams but as a whole the book of Daniel, including his own story, points to the sovereignty of God and His reign both now and in the Kingdom to come. Though Daniel, our unlikely hero, lives as a captive most of his life, he freely and boldly speaks a truth we can continue to hold onto today: God will not be mocked and there is no earthly king or kingdom who holds any power except by His will. One day His Kingdom will come and His will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
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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