Daniel 6:10 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.
Decisions powered by determination should be guided by ‘discipline’. Only a trained dog, donkey or horse is useful to its master. The potential of an ordinary horse to become a war horse is hidden in discipline. “Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time” – John C Maxwell. Daniel’s determined decision, not to defile himself with the ways and whims of Babylon was directed by discipline. He lived in a luxurious bungalow as he had risen to become the chief counsellor in Babylon, however, he opened the windows of his upper room and prayed three times a day. Some theologians say that he prayed in the morning as it was “Abraham’s prayer time”; evening was “Isaac’s prayer time” and at night as “night prayer” was when Jacob got his breakthrough. Hence, Daniel got himself into the disciplined pattern of prayer. Daniel even after he heard about the decree that anyone who prays to any other god or human for 30 days, will be thrown into the lion’s den, did not compromise or break his discipline of prayer.
Discipline driven decisions will make us:
1. Focus: Routine is the training rod of disciplined decision. Our routine must not be broken on weekends, holidays or vacations. This will be possible only if the decision becomes our passion. If it is a burden, it will break at any given opportunity. A normal person would take 21 days to discipline themselves into a pattern to pray, exercise, read, eat healthy and grow spiritually. Make your routine visible and known to people around you. Don’t hide your decisions. Write them on post-it notes and paste it around your house. Put reminders on your phone and don’t shy away from discussing your decisions to friends and family. Discipline will make us focused.
2. Courageous: Disciplined decisions will make us courageous. We will learn to say “no” boldly. We will stop wasting time with activities that add no value to our lives and move away from relationships that are distracting, damaging and draining our focus. Even after Daniel knew that he would be thrown into the lion’s den, he did not break his prayer pattern. We could be teased, taunted or tormented by envious people, but crazy comments will not confuse or compromise our courageous decision.
3. Integrous: Decisions with determination guided by the rod of discipline is our invisible fence, defence and protection. Daniel 6:4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Discipline will make us integrous, truthful and trustworthy. If we can be trusted with office stationery we will be trusted with the treasury. Discipline will make us integrous in personal, private and public life.
Decisions without discipline are only delusions. Discipline driven decisions will make us distinguished.
Daniel 6:23 when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I humble myself to be put on the leash of disciple to make me focused, courageous and integrous like Daniel. Amen
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