The Right Mindset - Complete Trust!
Reflection: Daniel’s Kind of Faith
A personal devotional on trust, prayer, and lifelong obedience
When I studied the Book of Daniel, one truth became clear to me: my so-called “holy life,” as much as a human being can be holy, wasn’t nearly as holy as I thought. When I looked at Daniel and the Hebrew boys, I realized that my life was nowhere near as consecrated or devoted. I can’t even find the “pah” in perfect! I know that I’m a sinner saved by grace. I also understand now that I cannot live this life in Christ Jesus on my own — I’ve tried, and I’ve failed miserably. I am grateful to the Holy Spirit for showing me this.
It hurt my feelings a bit but still grateful that He loves me enough to show me where I have failed and need correction.
“Daniel and the Hebrew boys sought the Father daily. They stayed connected to Him. Their relationship with God was built on trust that was strong and unshakable.”
There was and is always more I need to learn and understand. Many times, I’ve asked the Holy Spirit, “What am I missing? Why do I keep falling?” I’ll explore that more in another post, but what stands out to me is this: Daniel and the Hebrew boys sought the Father daily. They stayed connected to Him. Their relationship with God was built on trust that was strong and unshakable.
Trust through the fire
No matter what others did, they trusted God completely. They followed His instructions faithfully, and God, in turn, was faithful to them. Even when it looked like God might not come through, they knew that He knew best — and He always did.
When the Hebrew boys were thrown into the fiery furnace, they had perfect peace because they trusted God. They were certain of deliverance — not necessarily from the fire, but through it. Whether they walked out unharmed or perished in the flames, they believed that either way, God would deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s power. The same was true for Daniel in the lions’ den. Whether he was devoured or walked out untouched, God’s deliverance was sure.
Daniel’s Kind of Faith
- Unwavering devotion: Daniel’s loyalty to God never wavered, even when the laws of the land changed. He refused to compromise his convictions or worship false gods.
- Steadfast courage: He stood firm in the face of death, continuing to pray when it was forbidden, trusting that God would protect him in the lions’ den. It makes me wonder — would I have done the same? I’d like to think so, but would I really? .
- Consistent prayer: Prayer wasn’t occasional for Daniel; it was essential. He prayed three times a day, no matter where he was or what others thought. His prayer life reflected his deep dependence on God. In all our ways, we are to acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths. We don’t acknowledge God like we should and therein lies the problem. We think we are relying on God; but in truth, we rely, have our Faith, in things other than Jesus (who is our Everything and has Everything we will ever need) and do not understand that we get everything via the Cross of Calvary. We are reliant on everything but Jesus. No man comes unto the Father unless he/she goes through the Son; and you the ONLY way to get to the Son (Jesus Christ) is through the Cross. The ONLY way to get to the Cross is to deny self and fall on the Mercy of God. We are too reliant on our own strengths, intellect and other abilities and don’t fully rely on God. It’s a hard thing for us humans. All our lives we have been told how to be successful and happy; to win in life. We have been told wrong which is why we are constantly searching for that fulfillment, but it can only be found in Christ Jesus!.
- Lifelong obedience: Daniel’s faith wasn’t just a single act of heroism — it was a lifetime of obedience. From his youth to his old age, he remained faithful, showing that true belief endures through every season of life.
I long for that same kind of faith and trust in God. We all want things to turn out well — it’s only human. As Christians, we sometimes think that attending church, paying tithes, and being good people should guarantee that outcome. But Daniel and the Hebrew boys remind us that faith means trusting God even when facing death, believing that He will take care of us regardless of the result. That’s the kind of faith I want — a faith that trusts God completely, whether the outcome seems favorable or not.
Staying connected
When life doesn’t go as planned, instead of asking “Why me?”, we should ask, “Lord, what are You showing me? What do You want me to learn?” Staying connected to God — talking with Him daily, praying that His will be done, and studying His Word to gain understanding — helps us develop real trust. You can’t have a genuine relationship with someone you rarely speak to. You might know about them, but you don’t truly know them. The same is true with God.
We’ll never understand Him unless we spend time with Him. We’ll never build the kind of faith Daniel had without daily fellowship and trust. That’s where true peace comes from — the peace that surpasses all understanding.
You can have wealth, success, or comfort, yet still live without peace. The world’s peace fades when circumstances change, but the peace that comes from Jesus — the peace purchased on the Cross of Calvary — endures forever. It never changes.
That’s the mindset I want: a God-centered, peace-filled heart that trusts Him completely, no matter what.
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