Scripture to Read: Daniel 6:1–3
From the end of Daniel 5, we know that Babylon had fallen and Persia had conquered Babylon, so, as we read in Daniel 6, Darius the Mede was the new ruler. Remember that in Daniel 1–5, Babylon was in power, but in Daniel 6, Babylon had been overtaken, and Persia was in charge. As a reminder, Daniel would have been in his early eighties. Daniel had seen much of God’s faithfulness in his lifetime, in how God was faithful to the nation of Israel all of those years when they were outside of their comfort zone and not in their land. We read in Daniel 6:1–3, It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.” God gave Daniel His favor with Darius (the king) because Daniel “possessed an extraordinary spirit.” That was God the Holy Spirit upon Daniel, and God used Daniel for His purpose and pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Even in his eighties, Daniel was a usable tool for our Lord because he was willing to walk with God daily and not be limited by anything, including his age. We’re never limited in serving when we willingly walk with our Lord and trust His handiwork in our lives.
Challenge & Application
• Why was Daniel still being used in tremendous ways by God even into his eighties?
• Why do older and even younger people today not consistently serve our Lord, and what must they do to change that?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!