Undeterred

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. - Daniel 6v10

Here is another instance of a man who does the kind of thing that I really desire to happen in my life. I am always challenged by my response when I get bad news.

Let’s get a little background. The other leaders under King Darius were jealous of Daniel. He just kept getting promoted. Who was this blow-in to keep moving up in the ranks? (Yes, I realise he had been there many years, but a foreigner is ALWAYS considered a foreigner by those who don’t like him. Trust me.)

They tried everything to catch him doing something that would get him brought down to size. Daniel, however, had such a testimony and such character that they could find not find anything.

So they were forced to change the rules.

The flattered and cajoled the king into making a new law that no one could pray to anyone but him. That would either cause Daniel to compromise, which they knew he wouldn’t do. Or, they would have him break a law and receive the death penalty.

So what did Daniel do when he got the notice? His custom was to pray before an open window. Surely, the next day he at least shut the window and pulled the curtains before he prayed.

They had him! They ran to the king to report him.

What sticks out to me here more than anything else though is Daniel’s consistency. When Daniel knew that the law had been passed. He opened his window that faced Jerusalem and he prayer three times – as was his custom.

The great thing is that Daniel was not deterred. He knew what he had to do. He knew what was right. He knew the consequences. And he still prayed like he always did.

Undeterred is a vital character trait. In 1 Corinthians it is called ‘steadfast and unmovable.’ I really desire to have that kind of character.

Undeterred. How many of us can claim that trait!