“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” — Daniel 6:10
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Mike Tyson said one of my favorite quotes of all time: “Everyone has a plan ‘till they get punched in the mouth.” Isn’t that the truth? We have a plan of action, a plan of attack, but we can get punched in the mouth and it throws us off.
Daniel was a faithful follower of God, forced to work for the king of Babylon. Daniel had a plan to honor God and those God had entrusted him with. Great plan, right? Out of jealousy, other men conspired against Daniel and tricked the king into making a rule that for 30 days nobody could pray to anyone but the king. If they didn’t comply, they’d be thrown in the lion’s den (Daniel 6).
Daniel 6:10 tells us that Daniel heard the decree, and went home to pray. He prayed three times a day, giving thanks to God — just as he had done before. So he was thrown into the lion’s den, where God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. In response, the king issued a new decree that all must fear and revere the God of Daniel (v. 26).
Daniel’s plans to honor God didn’t change because he got punched in the mouth. Likewise, we can’t let the world’s punches keep us from God’s purpose. Daniel wasn’t saved from every punch, but there was a purpose beyond the punch. May we all be relentless in our plans to be faithful and honor God, just like Daniel.
— Sarah Roberts, University of Oklahoma softball chaplain
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