How would we sum up what we have learned from
Daniel? [We have just done a series on Daniel] We have already noted
his longevity – over 65 years. We first feel him as a YTS player but
by the end he is a senior pro. Not that it was all plain sailing. As
a teenager he had to nail his colours to the mast by taking his
stand over the food. Under Nebuchadnezzar he was top man but when
Belshazzar succeeded him as gaffer, Daniel lost his place in the
first team. Then he came good again in the twilight of his career.
Some verses in Chapter 2 give us his secret. He depended on God.
When the King had a dream, which disturbed him and planned to kill
all his wise men, what did Daniel do? “Then Daniel returned to his
house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and
Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven
concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be
executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon…. The king
asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me
what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"
Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can
explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a
God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King
Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come.
Daniel 2:17-18, 26-28)
If you are going through a period where you are out of the team or
your contribution to the club is not valued – or as a sports
professional you are just struggling to get enough work to survive,
what should you do. First pray! Then depend on God. Don’t let your
head drop. Keep giving 100%.
 Remember
that your ability is God's gift. And give it to him, and give it
to your peers at that club. Have you ever sat down and said to
yourself my gifts come from the Almighty creator of the universe. I
found my level of ability, I know what I can do now, and from this
day on and tomorrow and the next day, I use this ability first of
all for God. And secondly, as a result of using it for God, I will
work so hard in the world of sport. Say your prayers, put your life
in perspective and see who you are in relation to Almighty God.
That's what Daniel did and he made quite an impact.
Stuart Weir and Graham Daniels
Also in this series on Daniel
Drawing the line
Not getting carried away
Master yourself
Life's a rollercoaster
The long haul
Things that last
Making a
difference
An audience of one
He
could never become a Christian
Does it matter?
Writing on the wall |
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