S – I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches that are in Christ. ²³ They simply kept hearing, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.

 Galatians 1:22–23 CSB

O – Paul’s journey takes him away from the apostles and the Judean churches.  Although distant, his message of Jesus lines up.  More amazing is the word of the one who used to persecute Christians is now preaching the same message.

A – We all make mistakes and fail.  God’s redemptive power allows for our worst sins to be forgiven.  God can take those and turn them into a powerful part of our testimony and direction.

R – Lord, thank you for your grace.  I ask for Your forgiveness for my sins. I ask that you will use this moment as a catalyst for growth for me.  Help me to see you working in my life so that I don’t just see a scar but another part of my testimony.

S – Those who have insight will shine 

like the bright expanse of the heavens, 

and those who lead many to righteousness, 

like the stars forever and ever. 

Daniel 12:3 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Being glorified in the kingdom, they will shine like the brightness of the heavens. (Cf. Matt. 13:43, “Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.”) They will be wise, for they will trust in the Messiah even though it will result in their suffering.

This message that God will remember His covenant and will fulfill all He promised to Israel (in spite of her sufferings at the hands of the Gentiles) will be a consolation that will in turn cause them to lead others to righteousness (cf. the “wise” in Dan. 12:10). No righteousness of God’s people ever goes unrewarded so those who are faithful under persecution will shine like the stars forever and ever.

“Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – At all times (especially the end times), we need to be wise.  We need to be aware of the spiritual realm.  Even though we cannot see it, it truly impacts us.  It should cause us to go back to God and grow that relationship.

R – Lord, there is so much we do not know.  Either you have not revealed it or we see in part the things that are to come.  Help us to live today in a way that glorifies you and grows us closer.  Every day is a gift and we want to maximize today to glorify you.

S – Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. ¹³ But the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me after I had been left there with the kings of Persia. ¹⁴

Daniel  10:12–14 CSB

O – The Lord heard Daniel’s prayers when he first said them.  There was spiritual opposition from the prince of Persia.  There was spiritual warfare going on. Finally, the heavenly being made it to Daniel.

A – There is spiritual warfare going on today.  When we pray, we do our part.  God does His part too.  It may be waiting, giving us an answer or conflict in spiritual realms.  Our role is to pray and have faith.  God’s role takes care of the rest.  It isn’t easy because waiting or not recognizing the spiritual realm can be difficult.

R – Lord, we invite your Holy Spirit to lead us today.  The things we lay at your throne through prayer are at your discretion to do with as you desire.  We will come in faith and trust in you.  Thank you for going to war for us in the spiritual realm.  We know you are the One, True God and that there is nothing that rivals your majesty or power.  

S – Listen closely, my God, and hear. Open your eyes and see our desolations and the city that bears your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before you based on our righteous acts, but based on your abundant compassion

Daniel 9:18 CSB

O – Daniel recognizes that Israel has lost its reverence and relationship with God.  He recognizes that their actions do not merit God’s mercy.  He appeals to God’s compassion to have mercy on Israel.

A – We could (should) have this same prayer today.  As God’s adopted children, the Bible says we can come boldly before the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16).  Yet, we should not come arrogantly or entitled.  Our righteousness will never measure up.  Our boldness is predicated on a God who is filled with undeserved love and compassion.

R – Abba Father, we come before you with great reverence and humility.  You are the one, true God and there is no other.  We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us today in all that we do.  We walk with you in the relationship not on our own merit but on your gracious mercy and compassion.  Help us draw closer to you today.

S – The vision of the evenings and the mornings that has been told is true. Now you are to seal up the vision because it refers to many days in the future.”

Daniel 8:26 CSB

O – Commentary:  

shut … up … vision—implying the vision was not to be understood for the present. In Rev 22:10 it is said, “Seal not the vision, for the time is at hand.” What in Daniel’s time was hidden was more fully explained in Revelation, and as the time draws nearer, it will be clearer still.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible,

A – God’s timing is perfect.  Fascinating that he would reveal a vision to Daniel to have it sealed for approximately 600 years.  In our lives, we have to trust that God will accomplish those things in our lives at the right time.  If we are going to grow in our faith, we must grow in our trust o God’s timing.

R – Lord, I invite you into every aspect of today.  Even the things I do not see but set my faith that you are going to do.  Your timing is perfect and I will surrender to your will on those things. Help me to continue to trust your leading and prompting.  I know your ways are better than mine.  Thank you for loving us and showing us your mercy each day.

S – The kingdom, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the holy ones of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey him.’ 

Daniel 7:27 CSB

O –  Commentary:  

At the beginning of the Millennium the Son of Man will be given authority to rule (cf. Dan. 7:14), and He will rule over the saints, the people of the Most High (cf. comments on 3:26), that is, the nation Israel (cf. 7:18, 22), which has been bound to God by God’s covenant with Abraham (Gen. 12:1–6; 13:14–17; 15:18–21). This kingdom will not be overthrown and superseded by another. It will continue in the Millennium and on forever (cf. Dan. 4:34; 6:26; 7:14). All peoples and kings will worship and obey Him.

 “Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The time of tribulation laid out in Revelations is also previewed here in Daniel.  In the end, the Lord wins the battle and establishes His kingdom.  

R – Lord, there is an ultimate battle that is coming and gratefully, it is in your hands.  We do not have to walk in fear because our assurance is in you.  We ask for your help to live each day to prepare our hearts and minds to know your voice and direction in all times.

S – Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm

Daniel 6:3 CSB

O – “extraordinary” yattı̂yr (Chald.), yat-teer’ preeminent; adv. very:— exceeding (-ly), excellent.

     “spirit” rûwach — mind, spirit, wind.

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Daniel stood out because he had an excellent mind, attitude and essence.  

A – If Daniel can serve a pagan king with this embodiment, how much more can we do the same today?  No matter our job or task, we ultimately serve the Lord.  Daniel honored all the kings he served and used it as a way to share his God with them.  As they prospered, the reality of who God is was acknowledged.

R – Lord, I surrender to your will today.  I ask that you give me an extraordinary spirit to accomplish all that you have before me today.  Let my leadership, actions and words point others to you.

S – ²⁶ This is the interpretation of the message: 

‘Mene’ means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. 

²⁷ ‘Tekel’ means that you have been weighed on the balance and found deficient. 

²⁸ ‘Peres’^, means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 

Daniel  5:26–28 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Then Daniel proceeded to interpret the meaning of these words. He explained that Mene meant that God had numbered (menâh) the duration of the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and was about to bring it to an end. Tekel meant that Belshazzar had been evaluated by God, weighed (teqîltâh, from teqāl) in a balance and had been found wanting, that is, he was too light. A balance was the normal device used in weighing payments. A payment was to meet a certain standard so if it did not meet that standard, it was rejected as unacceptable. Belshazzar’s moral and spiritual character did not measure up to the standard of God’s righteousness so he was rejected. “By Him [God] deeds are weighed (1 Sam. 2:3).

“Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – What does it mean that God found him wanting?  He was too light.  I do not want to be “too light” in my approach to God or in the way I am living out His purpose in my life.  All of us are in the same journey as the king.  Our days are numbered, we will be judged and either we are going to enjoy relationship with Him or rejected into separation from God.

R – Lord, I am not perfect but I want to live each day in a growing relationship with you.  Whatever your plans and purpose for me, I surrender my will to you.  I want each day to matter – making an impact on those around me.  Thank you, God, for you Holy Spirit to help guide and strengthen me each day.

S – Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride

Daniel 4:37 CSB

O – Commentary:

The king’s acknowledgment of God’s right to rule (vv. 34–35) brought about the restoration of the king’s sanity (cf. v. 34) and a restoration to his throne. Having been humbled before God, Nebuchadnezzar rose to greater heights of honor than he had known when he walked in pride. He said he praised, exalted, and glorified the King of heaven (cf. “honored” and “glorified” in v. 34). These verbs indicate continued action, suggesting that Nebuchadnezzar did these things habitually. These verbs embody the ideas of reverence, respect, honor, admiration, and worship.

“Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The most “powerful” man on earth at the time of the writing recognizes that God is King of Heaven.  He ascribes glory to God.  We should do the same.  He is still the King of Heaven.  We need to lose our pride, walk in humility and bring honor to God daily.

R – Lord, thank you for the opportunity to exalt your name.  You alone are worthy of our praise, honor and reverence.  You have blessed us with so much.  You provide your presence to be with us each day and to walk in your power.  Thank you for another day with you.

S – If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” 

Daniel 3:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:  

The three showed absolute confidence in God, stating that their God was greater than Nebuchadnezzar and was able to deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment in a display of His superior power. Their words, the God we serve (cf. 6:16, 20), show they recognized that God’s authority was greater than the authority claimed by Nebuchadnezzar. Though they were employed by Nebuchadnezzar (2:49), they “served” Yahweh.

Their God demanded implicit obedience and had forbidden them to worship any other gods. One who obeys God is not presuming when he expects God to protect and deliver him. Obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they would still obey Him

“Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When is the last time your faith cost you something?  These three were kidnapped, trained in foreign education and culture, used for foreign leadership and exposed to gods they didn’t believe to be true.  Yet, they did this while maintaining a strong faith in God.  So much they would die before disobeying Him.  This is the faith that I want. 

R – Lord, you are true.  You are worthy of our praise, honor and obedience today.  There is a price that comes with serving you.  Whatever the cost, give me the strength and courage to be faithful to you.  There is nothing greater than you.