An epic legacy.

This past week of classes we had the books of Daniel and Proverbs. Daniel was incredible. Who knew all of those Sunday school stories we grew up with would be so applicable to our lives while in adulthood. My prayer coming into bible school was to learn more about the old testament. I knew it was important. I just never knew how to dig deep into those books. And well since I have been here at Ecola, I am learning that these books and stories we often overlook are filled with an abundance of lessons, truths, and beautiful aspects of who God is and how we as his children should follow him. God uses these stories of ordinary people who faithfully followed him as examples for us. He turns their ordinary lives extraordinary so that they may shine for His glory. Okay so lets just take a look at the life of Daniel.

Daniel when he was around the age of 14 was taken from the community and place he called home into a new land. Everything he knew and all of the people he loved were abruptly taken out of his life. He was put through one trial after another. And here is the thing, he never turned bitter towards God. He remained faithful to him. Because of this faithfulness, God remained faithful to Daniel.

A popular story you learn in Sunday school is about Daniel and the lion's den. I think we so often forget how profound and beautiful this story is. So, if you don't quite remember this story here is a quick refresher...

Daniel is pretty old when King Darius takes reign as king. Darius sees that Daniel lives a different life. Daniel's life shines for the Lord. You see throughout the relationship between Darius and Daniel that they truly care for one another. "Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." (Daniel 6:3) Well you can only imagine that this made all of the other men very jealous. So, like any other jealous person would do they set out to trick Darius and get Daniel in trouble. You see these guys made this new decree or uh law that for 30 days the people were to bow to Darius at the sound of musical instruments. And if people didn't bow done they were to be thrown into a lion's den. This is where a really pivotal verse comes in which is actually turning into my favorite verse of this book....

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, 

as he had done previously.

Daniel 6:10

I really like this verse because there is just so much jam packed into one simple yet profound verse. We learn so much about Daniel. Once the document was signed he immediately went home. The windows to his house were opened and this is crucial. We see that Daniel was not ashamed of his relationship with the Lord. Can you say that you would do the same if you were put into that circumstance? I know I wish I would be able to say that this would be my instinct but I am just not too sure if it would be or not. And Daniel didn't just pray once but three times a day. Consistent in prayer and in his walk with the Lord. If you are at all like me and intrigued by all of this well just ponder on this. In the midst of all of this Daniel "gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously." Okay so instead of being bitter and all that jazz Daniel was thankful. In life's trials and stuff do you go into them with thanksgiving or bitterness? 

I just got really excited because yesterday I wasn't able to go to church so I listened to a Mark Driscoll sermon. It was on Malachi and living for a legacy. And well a point that Driscoll made that really stuck out to me is this... "God expects us to change our attitude even if he does not change our circumstance." So, if you are in a place in life where there is just one trial after another and you're thinking "okay God really can't I just come up for a breath of air?" Well take a second and pause. Maybe you need to begin by praying. Asking God to change your heart and allow him to change your attitude about the situation you are in. Because even if God did change the situation would you be grateful or would bitterness and anger remain within you?

My prayer is that we may be more like Daniel. And not be ashamed of our relationship with God. For prayer to be our immediate reaction in all situations life throws at us. To give God thanks. Always. Not just during the mountain peeks but in those valley's as well. To be a strong link so we may leave an epic legacy for Christ. We have the choice to choose how to react. So, what are you going to do?

God is good. When we become faithless, He remains faithful. I am thankful for this opportunity at Ecola to learn more about these amazing men and woman of the old testament. I pray to walk with the Lord in such a way as these people did. To leave a legacy for Christ. To shine for His glory. May this life I live in no way be about me. I pray that all that I do brings glory to the Lord. More of Him and less of me.