When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed and posted, he continued to pray just as he had always done.
Daniel 6:10
How many of us love consistency? I think we all agree whatever politics or organisations you belong to consistency is one of the things you want to see.
In the book of Hebrews, Jesus himself is quoted as having that level of consistency, for we are informed of the following; Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever.
It is one of the major reasons I follow Jesus. The problem is being a follower I too must have that same goal. Now there is something that makes me just stop and pause.
We need to have a level of consistency, for it is an important part of our life that needs underpinning if we are ever to have our personal life (Upward) mean something.
Did you notice the verse? Daniel under pressure did not panic but calmly went about his usual business (just as he had always done.) Daniel 6:10
Daniel has set up a principle of life (consistency) that underpinned his personal life. For Daniel consistency in prayer was a must. He did not alter it due to the external circumstances or the penalty for sticking to his routine. You see this was not a routine for the sake of having a routine. It was paramount to Daniel to have a prayer life of consistency in order to keep his personal life, private life and public life.
Let us stop there. What routine do you have that underpins your spiritual life and reflects your personal, private and public life to a level of consistency?
To help you achieve personal life (Upward) Hebrews 13:15 informs us to let us continually (consistency) do two specific actions: praise and thanksgiving:
Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name”.
Hebrews 13:15 NKJV
Praise is primarily acknowledging God for who he is.
Thanksgiving, on the other hand, is giving thanks to God for what he has done for us.
Illustration
Dr. Ben Haden shared a story during his radio broadcast of a young couple who entered the hospital to have their baby. Complications arose. Test results showed that their child had Down syndrome. By this time, word had spread throughout the hospital about this young couple and their yet-to-be-born baby. Word had also gotten around that these parents were Christians. Several nurses and employees began to speculate about how these “God-fearing” people would respond.
Many, including the hospital switchboard operator, expected them to become angry at God. However, the couple maintained an upbeat attitude. Not to be proven wrong, the switchboard operator decided to listen in on their private phone conversations. What she heard would change her life forever.
Rather than spewing bitterness and doubt toward God, the young mother repeatedly stated her trust and thankfulness in her Lord. She said that no matter what, they knew God would work the situation out for their good and his glory.
Not only did that operator surrender her life to Christ, but as a result of those parents’ faith, over 20 nurses and doctors trusted in Jesus!
Apparently, that new mum and dad understood that God would be with them in the midst of unexpected or difficult circumstances. Before any of us can give thanks and praise to the Father and really mean it, we, too, must accept God’s sovereignty in our hearts.
That is what underpinned Daniel too. Nothing was going to throw him off his daily consistency because Daniel believed God works everything out to God’s glory.
There is a throne in heaven. And it is occupied! Our great God, mighty and majestic Father, is sitting on that throne right now. This world may seem as if it’s spinning out of control, but God is still the all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present King of kings and Lord of Lords, and yes, the same God loves you and me.
Stop right now and thank God for loving and watching over you at this very moment and take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Note
We are not told to give thanks for our circumstances, but rather in them. We are not expected to be thankful for problems and hardships that come our way.
Daniel endured hardships but in them also believed in the consistency of a God who allowed Daniel to go through such hardships.
Daniel’s consistency in praise and thanksgiving never faltered and in the end, we see a most remarkable man surviving kings, empires and being contacted by angels too.
I hope we can all be encouraged to underpin our lives in God and give Praise (primarily acknowledging God for who he is) and give Thanksgiving, to God for what he has done for us.
Questions to answer
- What’s the one experience for which you are most thankful this year?
- What’s the one thing you’ve learned this year for which you are most thankful?
- If you could thank one person today—near or far, living or dead—for their influence on your life, who would that person be?
- Who’s one person you’ve never thanked for their contribution to your life, but would like to?
- For what do you feel most grateful to God today?
Stay safe and be Blessed.