Who do you know who is faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy? It’s a short list, isn’t it? What adjustments are necessary to add your name to the list?

I’m sorry to add guilt to your morning routine. 

Daniel set the bar pretty high. I am convicted every time I read this book. He was completely devoted to God, and God used him to demonstrate his majesty in a foreign land where powerful kings believed and behaved as if they were gods themselves. 

Daniel makes me want to be a better man. He makes me want to walk with God ever more closely. He makes me wonder, “What would Daniel do?”

Re-read the first six chapters. Notice how often Daniel prayed. Notice how Daniel never took credit for what only God could do. Notice how he always deflected praise and redirected it to God and God alone. Notice how he trusted God no matter what. 

Abraham, Moses, David, and Solomon each present remarkable qualities. God used each to accomplish his purposes. Each of them also demonstrated glaring weaknesses and failed in moments recorded forever for our instruction. But Daniel was “faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” 

Knowing Daniel could live the life he lived through the turmoil of those days in a land completely foreign to everything he had known gives me confidence. His life boosts courage. His character strengthens resolve. 

I will never be Daniel. But he makes me want to be the best Dave I can be.

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I will lean into a life that is ever-more faithful, responsible, and trustworthy.

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Our Father, I am not Daniel. However, I want to be more like him. I want to honor you and serve others with an ever-more faithful, responsible, and trustworthy life. Reshape me and refocus me as necessary to become all you hoped I would be. Amen.