(April 26, 2009)

Our hero this week is who we might think of as The Lionheart. He was a dream interpreter and he had a supernatural sense of courage. He was Daniel. He's lived a life of no compromise. He refused to give in to the King's spiritual and physical diet. God took him from being a captive to become a royal advisor.

When we read Daniel 6:10, we see just why he had supernatural power given to him by God. His spiritual habits and disciplines were his secret to earning His power. He prayed toward Jerusalem thrice daily, sustaining him throughout the day. One might say here That's all? He became a spiritual superhero just by praying?!? Yes! If you aren't praying throughout the day, then wonder why you can't make it through 24 hours without being negative or getting upset, is any wonder since you are a spiritual anorexic? We feed ourselves thrice daily, but do we feed ourselves spiritually thrice daily? In the next few years, we will realize just how much we need God and how much we need to constantly communicate with Him.

Daniel wasn't trying to make a spectacle of himself, but he wanted to publicly devote himself to God. He wasn't ashamed of being a follower of God. He wasn't afraid of who might see him, even though it was a death sentence for him to keep the windows open. The fact is that Daniel viewed his relationship with God above his obedience to earthly laws. This boldness is something that made him a superhero. Are you?

Daniel learned to make it a habit to pray to God. He knew how to praise. He thanked God for his trials. How often do we do that? When we have a crisis, do we praise Him for giving us the experience?

Have you ever noticed that nature is pretty noisy? The birds are going crazy, chirping like mad. Insects and frogs are loud. God made it that way. He wants us to be noisy for Him. Praying out loud--praising Him--is pleasing to God. God is worthy of our praise.

Daily, Daniel practiced the presence of God. He spoke to the presence and the covenant relationship several times a day and wasn't afraid to do so.

Daniel understood humility. He knew how to behave before royalty, so it's no wonder that he was able to knee before the King of Kings. He was able to show honor, gratitude and put himself into service for the Lord. He told God that He was in charge. Daniel knew that it wasn't about himself, but about Him.

As humans, we are masters of rationalization and compromise. We tend to constantly be pulled to the center by the world when God wants you to lead a life on the edge with Him. We are tempted to rationalize and compromise our situations when God pokes at us and tells us we are wrong. We need to admit we are wrong, ask for forgiveness and move closer to Him thereafter.

If we look at Daniel's spiritual habits, we can understand clearly that he filled his day with communication and servitude with Our Savior. He obeyed without hesitation. Because of these qualities, he was a Biblical superhero. The fact is that you can be a superhero, too! But, are you willing to do so by showing God your praise publically for the next 30 days? What might you be willing to do for Him?

Everyday we are preparing for our destiny. God doesn't give us trials for us to fail in that goal. Daniel did all of these things for: deliverance, promotion, revelation. Therefore, he could get to his destiny. God wants us to be delivered through, not just delivered from. God wants us to know what it means to be faithful. God will always deliver, promote and reveal to His servants. Are you one of His servants?

- Jon Bruney