A survivor, Daniel lived in exile far from his homeland. He experienced invasion, conquest, and the deaths of friends and family. As he endured his difficulties, Daniel prayed.

Daniel prayed for his fellow exiles. He also lifted up the ruined city of Jerusalem and its desolated sanctuary, now lying in ruins.

But the manner in which Daniel prayed intrigues me. He neither demanded his rights as a member of the chosen race, or scolded God for punishing so severely. Instead, Daniel appealed for mercy.

Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act!

This seems the single necessary component for my prayers. I did nothing to inherit life, nor anything to deserve the Lord’s goodness. As much I I might believe in myself, or pout and stamp my feet, he’s under no obligation to respond to my requests.

But in his mercy, God might do so. So pray for mercy. Ask for grace. Request compassion. Make a habit of praying this ancient petition daily, even several times a day: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.

Pray from your heart. Pray often, pray for what you need, and pray for what you want. But most of all, pray for mercy from our gracious and forgiving God.

Daniel 9 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jacob Bentzinger

A glance at the world around me reveals God’s creativity. The sheer variety of plants, bushes and trees, unique to different zones, points to his inventiveness. Magnificent creatures fill the seas. Mountains rise to the heavens, framing our sunsets. The Creator holds an unlimited imagination.

God is especially creative when dealing with people.

Nebuchadnezzar, the all-powerful ruler of a vast empire, strutted his pride like a multi-billionaire sailing a new yacht. The Lord took offense and humbled Nebuchadnezzar by driving him to madness. Nebuchadnezzar lived in the fields and ate grass like an ox. It’s written that his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. Nasty.

After seven years God restored Nebuchadnezzar’s sanity and crown. As an epitaph he wrote, Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Now that’s an understatement.

God remains innovative in his ability to humble those in positions of power, just as he chastens those of us with everyday swollen heads. God uses his creativity to turn pride into humility, and like Nebuchadnezzar, I can be thankful for such work in my life.

Daniel 4 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Skye Studios

I love running across phrases in common usage that find their roots in the Bible. One of those is feet of clay.

In a dream Daniel interpreted for King Nebuchadnezzar, a magnificent statue is seen with a head of gold, followed by silver, bronze, iron, and ending with feet partly of iron and partly of baked clay. Daniel predicted that the glorious figure would eventually be smashed into pieces and blown to the winds.

In our day feet of clay refers to a weakness or character flaw, especially in people of prominence and power. Such a person may appear dominant and unstoppable, but they cannot support their splendor, and eventually come crashing down. An awe-inspiring statue smashed on the ground resonates as an analogy for powerful figures with substantial weaknesses.

We shouldn’t be surprised. We all have feet of clay, and some of us even imagine we possess heads of gold. I’m reminded that all who hold power do so only under the gaze of the Lord. The kingdom of God—the rock that smashed Nebuchadnezzar’s statue to pieces—continues to roll and doesn’t care whose toes get crushed in the process.

Daniel 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Matt Seymour

I think about my future and plan for it, but what is to come remains inaccessible, floating in a mist beyond my view. Even dimmer than my guesses of the future are many things I simply cannot know, the dreams of a stranger being one.

The enchanters and astrologers of Babylon woke up to just such a task. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered them to both tell him his dream and explain it to him. Impossible! The charlatans cried. Off with your heads then, you fake sorcerers! Retorted the king.

Daniel got wind of this impossible situation when a guard arrived to take his life. Granted an extension, Daniel and his friends prayed for mercy from the God of heaven who revealed the mystery of the dream. Daniel honored God:

Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his…He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Just as God understands the past, he knows the future—all that lies in darkness. Like Daniel and his friends, I can pray and ask the Lord for wisdom regarding my future. I may not receive answers with such specificity as Daniel, but I can lean into God’s wisdom as I consider what is to come.

Daniel 2 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Thanos Pal