Who can tell me about Daniel in the Bible?
(Pause and let them answer).
Daniel lived during a time when many Israelites were held captive in Babylon. Daniel was one of the captives, chosen to serve the Babylonian king in his palace. In Babylon, the people didn’t believe in God and worshiped other gods instead. During his life, Daniel ended up serving as an advisor to four different kings. He was well-respected, and he never compromised his daily prayer habits and love for God. Daniel prayed to God three times a day.
One king that Daniel served was named King Darius. King Darius liked Daniel, but his royal administrators did not. They were jealous of him. They knew Daniel prayed to God every day, so they convinced the king to make a rule that said everyone should pray to him (the King) instead. Anyone caught praying to anyone but King Darius would be thrown into the lion’s den. Do you know what Daniel did?
(Pause and let them answer).
The Bible says,
“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”
Daniel 6:10 NIV
Just as he had done before.
And as most of you know already, Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s Den. But God saved him! When he was lifted out of the lion’s den he didn’t even have a scratch on him.
What can we learn from Daniel in baseball?
When faced with challenges and a difficult environment, Daniel just did what he knew to do already. He prayed just as he had before. He continued his good habits. In baseball, when you face a challenge- a tough team, a difficult pitcher, a close game, just do what Daniel did- continue your good habits that your coaches have already taught you. Trust your training.
More importantly, we learn from Daniel how to grow our relationship with God by our daily habits. We can choose to read our Bible, to pray- even when life gets busy. Then, when things get hard, we will remember God’s Words, which are True. We will remember we can talk to Him about anything. We will remember that He is in charge, and we can trust in Him for peace and strength. And MOST importantly, Daniel’s life points us to a true and better Daniel- Jesus. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth, and took the punishment on the cross for our sins and imperfections. By believing and trusting in Him, our sins are forgiven and we can have eternal life! THAT is the Best News Ever.
God,
Thank you for the Bible and the story of Daniel. Thank you for the game of baseball and for all we have learned up to this point. We know that you were with Daniel in the lion’s den and that we can trust in you too. Please help us to remember what our coaches have taught us and that we can talk to you anytime. Our strength, peace, and courage come from you.
In Jesus’s name,
Amen
Pinestraw Mountain 