💫 The book of Daniel ends by mentioning the rewards for those who do great exploits for God and how such faith heroes will be remembered by God. “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever,” Daniel 12:3. What made Daniel so bold and confident to face trials in the Babylonian captivity, to see his friends thrown into the fire and he be thrown into the lions’ den and come out unscathed and unharmed?

💫 Their victory was in their mouth, Proverb 18:21. The moment they declared with their mouth, their faith in God, they were declaring the end at the beginning, Isaiah 46:10. And the angelic forces went to work, to bring their victory to pass, Psalm 103:20. In Daniel 12:1-3, we can see the promises and the assurance of God to Daniel, which is why he was cool, calm and collected in attitude in the face of terrible challenges.

💫 Daniel was promised that the multitude of those who sleep “will awake” — some to everlasting life, and others to everlasting disgrace, Daniel 12:1. The promise of resurrection made Daniel bold. We too should be encouraged and assured in our hope of victory over death, 1 Corinthians 15:54. In this Covid-19 pandemic season, if we have to face death, we should have the assurance that we have victory over death. Daniel, like his friends, had to believe that God would rescue him even if he lost his life, Daniel 3:17-18. God assures Daniel that death is like a sleep, “those who sleep in the dust of the ground”, Daniel 12:2, and God will wake him up. Yes, God will wake us up in this Covid-19 times, should we go to sleep in Christ.

💫 Daniel was a man of great wisdom and insight because he allowed himself to be enlightened by God. God spoke to Daniel of “those who have insight,” Daniel 12:3. Daniel certainly had ample wisdom and was among those with insights. It was the light that he got from God that enabled him to anchor his hope in God and his obedience was a role model for others. It is those who have wisdom and insight that will lead many to righteousness. “People who have insight will shine as bright as heaven; and people who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3.

💫 Daniel knew that whatever it cost, his faithfulness even in death will be like a shining star. The wisdom and insight we receive from God should be spread around to impact those around us, so that they can come into the Kingdom of Light, Colossians 1:12. Just think about this, each time we bring a soul into the Kingdom of God, we will have supernatural gold dust on us to shine like the glow-worm in the dark. Don’t let the devil steal your shine! Glow and Flow in the day and Shine in the night. You don’t have to apply wax or polish to shine; simply lead someone to Jesus.

💫 Child of God, Remember you are destined to be God’s Star wherever you are placed in this Lockdown. You might not be in a star-struck situation. But our effort to bring the gospel to others not only gives them hope, it also strengthens our own hope. We, and those we lead to the light, together share and grow stronger each day in hope because God will Wake Up, Should we Sleep, to Shine for Him Forever… Amen. 🙏

anniekoshy@God’s Thirstydeer 🦌 Breaking the Chain with You… ⛓️