This week I was appreciating the difference between young Daniel and older Daniel. Young Daniel gave us a picture of pure faithfulness…serving under a wicked king and all the while praising God and following His ways. Young Daniel taught us to be “faithful in the fire”.
But this week, we see an older Daniel. As Pastor Jason reminded us, at this point Daniel is not a young man anymore. He is older, wiser, and is more ready to teach King Belshazzar a lesson or two!
Daniel spoke with that boldness as he interpreted the writing on the wall in Daniel 5. He says in verse 22, “And you his son Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all of this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven.” (ESV)
Young Daniel displayed faithful and obedient action, and older Daniel does the same, but with an extra dose of boldness in his words. I have to appreciate the way that age does this for us. With age, comes wisdom, and less of a need to people-please or worry about what others will think. Life experience and walking with the Lord for many years gives us the priceless gift of being bold when the time calls for it.
Daniel had a clear message from God, and he wasn’t afraid to share it. We were encouraged this week by Pastor Jason that, “the best way to honor what someone teaches you is to do what they taught you.”
We must carry it out — in action.
Year after year as I study the Bible, I see a common thread that I just can’t ignore: God’s love language is obedience.
The way that God feels truly loved by us is in our obedient action – the ways that He has called us to live and the things He has clearly asked us to do.
Sometimes, we are unsure of what He wants. Yet there are also many times where we clearly know what He wants, but the hesitancy and fear hold us back.
But to truly display our love for Him, we must act! We must move forward in faith when He has called us to do something.
Often times, this is done quietly in the obedience of our heart where no one else sees but you and God. Other times, He gives you a chance to be bold and speak out like Daniel.
What is He calling you to do, today? What is something He has clearly laid on your heart and something that requires faith and obedience?
Like Daniel, we can choose to be bold only because we have the power of our great God residing in us. It’s not about us, but always about Him.
But this week, we see an older Daniel. As Pastor Jason reminded us, at this point Daniel is not a young man anymore. He is older, wiser, and is more ready to teach King Belshazzar a lesson or two!
Daniel spoke with that boldness as he interpreted the writing on the wall in Daniel 5. He says in verse 22, “And you his son Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all of this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven.” (ESV)
Young Daniel displayed faithful and obedient action, and older Daniel does the same, but with an extra dose of boldness in his words. I have to appreciate the way that age does this for us. With age, comes wisdom, and less of a need to people-please or worry about what others will think. Life experience and walking with the Lord for many years gives us the priceless gift of being bold when the time calls for it.
Daniel had a clear message from God, and he wasn’t afraid to share it. We were encouraged this week by Pastor Jason that, “the best way to honor what someone teaches you is to do what they taught you.”
We must carry it out — in action.
Year after year as I study the Bible, I see a common thread that I just can’t ignore: God’s love language is obedience.
The way that God feels truly loved by us is in our obedient action – the ways that He has called us to live and the things He has clearly asked us to do.
Sometimes, we are unsure of what He wants. Yet there are also many times where we clearly know what He wants, but the hesitancy and fear hold us back.
But to truly display our love for Him, we must act! We must move forward in faith when He has called us to do something.
Often times, this is done quietly in the obedience of our heart where no one else sees but you and God. Other times, He gives you a chance to be bold and speak out like Daniel.
What is He calling you to do, today? What is something He has clearly laid on your heart and something that requires faith and obedience?
Like Daniel, we can choose to be bold only because we have the power of our great God residing in us. It’s not about us, but always about Him.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.