I am still reviewing all the amazing things that happened to King David (and of course his three faithful friends). I love my faithful friends, and have enjoyed meals with them, some celebratory, some comforting, but cannot imagine being on a trip with them and all being offered the favorite weakness of a luscious prime rib, when one of those friends speaks up for all of us and says no thanks.  I’d be a little ticked at that friend.  Although one or more of David’s friends might feel as I would, they went along with his leading, because they KNEW he had a special relationship with God.  Later they stood up to life-threatening action without David, the three were tossed in the fiery furnace and survived. 

It is not hard to imagine how the story spread across the country and the reaction of the people they lived and worked with to discover the wonderful way God worked in their lives.

So their confidence in God and faithfulness in following him affected other people.  Not necessarily them – but God working in, around, through them.

Daniel later was dumped into the lion’s den indirectly because despite his government’s decree – he kept doing what he had been doing since he surrendered his life to God.

In Daniel 4:2-3 – Daniel is reviewing what God as done in his life. –

² It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

³ How great are his signs,
    how mighty his wonders!
His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;
    his dominion endures from generation to generation.

As we chatted about this on the way home, we could not help looking at what God has done in our lives – and realizing that just reviewing it can conquer discouragement and doubt that God is not in our circumstances. When we look at what He has done, it is easier to trust what He will do.

Daniel’s example showed that He didn’t have to change himself or his prayers to fit each challenging circumstance – he kept doing what God’s Word had instructed him in the beginning.

 (Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.)

I love that each and every prayer was giving thanks. Specifically three times every day. 

 I question myself – what is my spiritual habit?  What do I do consistently, almost without thinking, and would not deviate from even on threat of personal harm?

I’ve known God to do many amazing things in my life, and I do give thanks, but my prayers still are filled with requests for myself, others, our country and the world.  I wonder how things might change (or how I might change) if all this week, and coming weeks,

I STOP AND LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHAT I CAN BE THANKFUL FOR AND

I pray three times a day, thinking not of what I wish God would do, or informing God of who needs assistance and when, but just

thanking God for what He has done, for what He is doing now, and for what He is going to do.

Kind of solves all those needs and requests doesn’t it!