“You are treasured by God.”

“(F)rom the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers.”

The old preachers like to say, “God doesn’t have favorites, but he does have intimates.” 

There are those whose hearts are so pure and whose ways are so straight that our Father in Heaven cannot help but smile at their lives. 

Why was Daniel so favored by God? Consider how he led himself in the first six chapters of this book. They are so thrilling, how could we content ourselves with reading them just once? On this reading, pay more attention to Daniel’s lead measures. What did he do time after time when crises arose and opportunities presented themselves?

Daniel and his friends prayed. They sought God first and foremost in all things and at all times, honoring God even when their lives were on the line.

They also chose God’s standards in all things. Whatever God wanted for them, that’s what they wanted for themselves. What could be better?

What were the results of their deep and abiding walk with God? God used them to demonstrate to ruler after ruler and people across every walk of life how good God is. 

Daniel humbled himself.

Daniel was treasured by God.

His prayers were heard. 

God moved in power when Daniel prayed. 

Here is a life worth emulating. Here are holy habits to build into your life. Here is the word from God you have always longed to hear. 

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I will live for God’s smile.

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Our Father, here I humble myself before you. Like Daniel and his friends, I want what you want. Teach me to live and to pray in full alignment and attunement with your heart and mind. I want to live the kind of life that makes you smile. Amen.