FAITH CAPSULE: The favor obtained by Daniel’s action at the start of his journey made it impossible for any door to be shut on Daniel

Daniel 1
 
Most times the way we start our journey determines how we conclude the journey. This is to say that the end can be affected in the beginning.For example; Daniel’s deliverance from the den of hungry lions was in the beginning of his life as a captive. At the beginning of his captivity he determined not to let the comfortable position that was offered by the King dislocate him from where he was going and how he was going to get through. Imagine Daniel, a captive, appointed for the King’s provision. Daniel had the option to opt for all the goodies in the provision of the King and forget his background. Instead, Daniel rejected the King’s provision with a purposeful decision and the Bible recorded, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (Daniel 1:8-9)It is obvious from the above scriptural quotation that the favor of God opened doors for Daniel because he shuts his door on the king’s provision. The favor obtained by Daniel’s action made it impossible for any door to be shut on Daniel as he navigated through the journey of life in captivity.
Favor bestowed on Daniel gave him his direct line of communication to heaven every time that he encountered life terminating challenges. Evidently, God’s answering of our prayer is favor of God. Also, understanding how to pray and what to pray about gets our prayer answered because the Bible states, “Good understanding gains favor…” (Proverbs 13:15) Getting answer to prayer is the favor of God. With favor in place Daniel operated with wisdom that was not common, wisdom that rooted out all kinds of evil agenda that was set for him to fall and to fail.
Favor is an identifier and it identifies Daniel as a captive when he drew the line for himself not to violate his God despite is status as a young captive in a foreign land. Daniel had a purposeful heart and gained favor that marked him as a distinguished one with excellent spirit. Daniel was no longer an ordinary one, “…because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.” (Daniel 6:3) Are you purposeful or faithfully faith-full for God? How did you get started on your journey? Watch for its direct effect on how journey is going to be concluded.

Prayer for today:Ask for the grace of God to see you through.