Daniel 6:16-23~ Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions, Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17. And a stone was brought, and laid upon  the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.  18. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.  19. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.  20. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel; and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?  21. Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever.  22. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.  23. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 

Both Daniel’s physical and spiritual diet was an important part of his relationship with God.  However, Daniel had been selected to be in training for royal service.  One of the fringe benefits of the royal service candidates was to be privileged to eat from the king’s table.  Even when Daniel was put to the test and told he had to eat the king’s meat and drink the king’s drink, he stood fast to his values.  Unlike Adam and Eve or David, Daniel had the ability to control his appetite.  It’s amazing to me what some folks will do for a little piece of meat.   Watch your appetite!   :)

Daniel ate carefully and lived prayerfully. Daniel knew that God was sovereign.   Daniel knew that there were rulers in the land but God was self-governing and not ruled by any other.  Daniel was a man of prayer.  He had calluses on his knees to prove he knew how to get a prayer through. 

No matter how loving you are, no matter how saved you are, no matter how prayed up you get life happens?  It doesn’t matter who you are, where you work, or what side of town you live on trouble will pack his bags and show up at your house uninvited.  He’s so rude, that he doesn’t ring the doorbell but he invades your territory.  Not only will he show up, but he’ll bring some of his buddies along. When trouble and his friends come they intend to stay a while.   They don’t mind lying on your couch, eating up your food, and wasting your utilities.  But I have some good news even in the midst of their invasion. While we’re Trying to Figure It Out ~ God’s Already Worked It Out!  Until tommorrow ponder on this thought.