Resolve Day 2: Rejoice

Day 2: Rejoicing

    Resolve to Pray: Today’s Scripture draws us to a defining portrait in our study on prayer. Daniel’s resolve wasn’t forged in the Lion’s Den—it was cultivated in his upper room and in the quiet faithfulness of his earlier days. Long before the crisis came, he had already committed himself to a life of prayer. His devotion remained steady, not only in spite of adversity, but right in the midst of it.

⁶ So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! ⁷ All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. ⁸ Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” ⁹ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

Daniel 6

     Replacement of prayer unacceptable: The Psalmist wrote in 5:2, “Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you.” (NLT). What are some things that seek to replace prayer? Self-meditation, positive thinking, manipulation, power, money, prestige, legislation, greed, strategy, worldliness, all seek to substitute for God and all of these can be seen in this passage. Matt. 6:33 says, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.”

     Even prayer is no replacement to prayer. Some pray mechanically, methodically, with certain words in a certain direction but with no real relationship. Others pray with incoherent words or mantras or lotus-like positions that would make me cry out but not in prayer, but in painful agony. Even Jesus said those of his own religion would pray with meaningless repetitions.

     The contemporaries of Daniel said to pray only to King Darius. We can ask earthly persons and powers for things and it may seem more productive that praying to God in heaven. Indeed, God delights in answering our prayers through other people. But while doctors may be thanked, and medications may be touted, we should only and always first seek and always praise our Heavenly Father God, who provided the doctors with knowledge and medications with healing elements.

¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Replacement of Prayer Is Unacceptable

    The Psalmist declared in Psalm 5:2 (NLT), “Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I will never pray to anyone but you.” That kind of resolve is rare—and necessary. Today, many things attempt to substitute for prayer: self-meditation, positive thinking, manipulation, power, money, prestige, legislation, greed, strategy, and worldliness. Each of these competes for the place that belongs only to God. Yet Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

    Even prayer itself can be misused as a substitute for true communion. Some pray mechanically—methodically repeating words in a certain posture or direction, yet without relationship. Others utter incoherent mantras or adopt lotus-like positions that may resemble prayer but lack spiritual substance. Jesus warned that even those within His own faith tradition could fall into meaningless repetition.

    In Daniel’s day, his contemporaries commanded that prayer be directed only to King Darius. Today, we may be tempted to seek help from earthly powers, believing it more productive than praying to God. And yes, God often answers our prayers through people—doctors, counselors, friends. But we must always begin with and return to our Heavenly Father, who gives wisdom to the doctor and healing to the medicine.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. —Daniel 6:10

Realistic About the Situation
    Daniel didn’t ignore reality. He understood the danger, counted the cost, and still chose to serve God. Whether in calm or clamor, his lifelong custom was to pray. He didn’t deny the threat, nor did he wallow in despair. The brokenness of this world calls us to seek a good God. The fallenness of humanity compels us to cry out to our faithful Father in Heaven. And our own sins and shortcomings drive us to the feet of our Savior and Deliverer—Jesus Christ, the Risen One, victorious over death and the grave.

Rejoice in Your Prayer
    What did Daniel pray? Was it filled with fear or complaint? No—he gave thanks. He rejoiced, fully aware of the danger he faced.

    Have you ever read the ending of Habakkuk? Chapter 3 reads as follows:

¹⁶ When I heard, my body trembled; My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entered my bones; And I trembled in myself, That I might rest in the day of trouble... ¹⁷ Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines... ¹⁸  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

    Don’t replace prayer with wishful thinking or anxious thoughts. Rejoice in the Lord—not in spite of your circumstances, but in the midst of them. Paul didn’t say “give thanks for everything,” but “give thanks in everything.” Why? Because the Lord is with you in every circumstance.

It is better to be with God in the worst place than without God in the best place.

    As we’ve said from the beginning, the theme of this week is Resolve to Pray. David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.” (Psalm 55:17). Elsewhere he said, “Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments.” (Psalm 119:164). And Paul exhorts us in the New Testament: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Don’t stop praying.

See Day 3 Rejection and Reception