Give Thanks Like Daniel

Hard to believe, but It's almost Thanksgiving again.  For the next 30 days, I want to focus on giving thanks.

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 6:10

Most of us are familiar with this story. 

If you’re not, you should pick up your Bible and read the whole account. 

Daniel was exiled to Babylon years earlier. 

He distinguished himself as trustworthy and was in line for a promotion. 

Others who were also being considered for the position tried to 

“find some dirt on him.”  

Daniel acted with integrity, so they could find nothing wrong with him. 

They finally decide to get to him through his faith in God. 

They convinced Darius to make it illegal to ask anything of anyone 

but the king for thirty days. 

What I love is that it didn’t stop Daniel. 

What stands out and catches my attention 

is that the decree didn’t change what Daniel did. 

He was in the habit of thanking God and asking petitions from God. 

It’s easy to think, 

well, yeah, but everything was going right for him. 

He was going to get a promotion. 

Don’t forget that he had been dragged to Babylon against his will. 

No one said, “Hey Daniel, how do you feel about relocating?” 

NKJV says, “as was his custom since early days.” 

I imagine from the time he got to Babylon to that day, 

he was thanking God. 

He made it a habit not just because things were good, 

but even when things were terrible. 

Friends, as we approach Thanksgiving, 

let’s be thankful. 

We need to express our thanks to God not just at Thanksgiving, 

but every day. 

Let’s get in the practice of being grateful.    

We can start now. 

Thank God when everything is good and the sun is shining. 

If You have all you need, bless God. 

If you have been promoted, 

Praise Him. However, 

if it is raining, 

if you have lost a loved one, thank Him. 

If your job is eliminated, 

praise Him. 

If you have been separated from loved ones, be thankful. 

If you have been wiped out financially, 

bless him. 

Start a custom of being thankful.  

Being thankful is an attitude that does not need to depend on our circumstances.  

We can choose to give thanks no matter what we are facing.