Daily Devotion – The wonder of the book of Daniel!
Devotional: Daniel 1:1 “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.”
This coming Sunday we begin a new series in the book of Daniel. Just as Noah has been a mentor to me in learning how to walk faithfully with God as a husband and father in dark times, so too Daniel has become a mentor—teaching me how to live godly in a world that is completely foreign, a place like Babylon.
Noah, in his old age, showed me how to raise my family to know the Lord. Daniel, only a teenager, shows me how to stand strong and live faithfully for God in a hostile and pagan culture.
As we start this series, my prayer is that all of us will learn from Daniel—but especially the youth of Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour. Even in their youthful years, they can see that they too can make a difference and live powerfully for Christ in this fallen world, despite the pressures and distractions trying to draw them away from God.
Is it really possible to find hope and a sense of purpose in such a dark culture? The book of Daniel answers this with a resounding yes. As we journey through this book, we will discover how to live a life of hope in the midst of confusion, compromise, and chaos.
Dads and mums, I pray that you will begin to use this amazing book as a true guide for your children—showing them that they can live boldly for Christ today. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah—four young teenagers—are living testimonies of courage and faith. I prefer to use their Hebrew names, their God-given names, rather than the Babylonian ones forced upon them.
This week, before we launch into Daniel 1:1, I encourage you to take some time to study the events leading up to their captivity. Imagine what it must have been like to be torn from home, to witness bloodshed, the siege of Jerusalem, and the slaughter of their people—only to be carried off to a distant, foreign land. These weren’t superheroes; they were ordinary young men who endured extraordinary trials.
And yet, in the midst of all this, God used them mightily. So much so that you and I, living in 2025, are still strengthened by their faith and testimony. Their story leaves us without excuse—no matter our age, our environment, or our hardships, we too can walk faithfully with God.
Let us take to heart these words from Daniel 11:32:
“The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
Heavenly Father, – We thank You for the example of Daniel and his friends—young men who chose to stand for You in a world that tried to change them. Lord, give us the same courage to live faithfully, no matter our age or the culture around us. We pray especially for our young people, that they would know You deeply and stand strong in their schools, workplaces, and friendships. Strengthen families, Lord, that parents may guide their children to walk with You in truth and holiness. May we, like Daniel, live with unwavering faith and be used by You to shine Your light in this dark world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.