Radical Thanksgiving

Thankful Thursday — #2

The news had just gone out; the king had made his unalterable decree.  Daniel returned to his home, and closed the door behind him.  It was clear that he had enemies.  There was no other reason for this new law.  Jealousy of Daniel’s promotion and favor with the king had caused the other princes and rulers of Babylon to plot against Daniel in the only way they could, through his relationship with God.  Using flattery, lies, and tricks, they coerced the king into signing an unbreakable law making it illegal for Daniel (or anyone) to publicly pray to any god or man other than the king.  The punishment for this crime was death– a horrendous death of being eaten alive by starving lions.

What would Daniel do?  He knew that the decree was contrived only to bring about his demise.  He knew that his enemies were watching.  Daniel was so steadfast and predictable in his daily worship that they knew the precise times that Daniel would, each day, pray visibly to his God.   They probably already had people watching the exact window that Daniel would open when he faced his beloved Jerusalem for his prayers.

This decree was to be in effect for 30 days.  Surely God would understand if Daniel decided to pray inside his house, with the window closed for one month.  Of course there was no law that said that Daniel had to pray visibly every single day.  Did God require Daniel to put his life on the line simply to keep his normal spiritual routine?

But, as we read the passage in Daniel 6 there appears to be no hesitation on Daniel’s part.  As soon as Daniel learns of the decree, he goes home, heads upstairs, opens his window, faces Jerusalem, kneels down, and prays.  Since this was his daily pattern, he also prayed 3 times that fateful day.  When this news reached the king, Daniel’s death penalty was signed.

What prayer did Daniel pray?  Daniel 6:10 just simply tells us that Daniel prayed and gave thanks before God.  Of course, Daniel knew his God could save him.  He had seen his friends saved from the fiery furnace.  But, the Bible doesn’t tell us that Daniel knew he would be saved.  In his mind, this could have been his last prayer to God on this earth– and it was a prayer of thanksgiving.

In studying “thanksgiving’ this week, the bold, fearless, radical thanksgiving prayer of Daniel has challenged me.  Would I put my life on the line to pray and thank God openly?  Is my thanksgiving a non-negotiable part of my spiritual life?

Now, by reading further in the book of Daniel, we do know the rest of Daniel’s story.  God did save him from the hungry lions and this was not to be Daniel’s last prayer to God on earth.  But, if God had determined for Daniel to die at the mouths of those lions, we can be sure that that would not have been Daniel’s last prayer of thanksgiving.  In the book of Revelation, we are given some “sneak peaks” into heaven. In Revelation Chapter 4, John sees “creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne.”  Again, In Revelation 7:11-12 we see ” Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!” being proclaimed around the heavenly throne.

Certainly, thanksgiving is a spiritual discipline that will carry on into eternity.  As we grow in our thanksgiving here on earth, let us remember that this is training for the everlasting song of thanksgiving to be offered at the eternal throne.  I hope you were inspired, as I was, by Daniel’s faith, perseverance, and thanksgiving.

With Joy,

Kathleen

Don’t miss Thankful Thursday 1!

O Render Thanks To God Above Hymn

(by Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady)

O render thanks to God above,
The fountain of eternal love,
Whose mercy firm through ages past
Hath stood, and shall forever last.

Who can His mighty deeds express,
Not only vast, but numberless?
What mortal eloquence can raise
His tribute of immortal praise?

Extend to me that favor, Lord,
Thou to Thy chosen dost afford;
When Thou return’st to set them free,
Let Thy salvation visit me.

O may I worthy prove to see
Thy saints in full prosperity,
That I the joyful choir may join,
And count Thy people’s triumph mine!

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