Will You Choose Daniel’s Heart, No Matter What?

As I sit at my computer and write, this crisp November morning, we still don’t know who has won the presidential election. Perhaps by the time that you read my words, we will know who will lead our great nation for the next four years.

This week has been a tumultuous week of endless waiting, political frustration and obsessive worrying for some. For others, it has been a week of intense focus, of relentless prayer and of sterling faith.

Wherever you land politically, if you are reading this article, you likely possess a measure of faith. You have discovered, as I have, that faith will pave a way through the darkest night, through the stormiest seas and through the confusing mazes of life. Faith is our anchor; it is our beacon; and it is our compass. There is nothing ambiguous or erratic about the faith that resides deep within my soul but faith is the hope that guides me, it is the peace that pervades me and it is the joy that inspires me. If nothing else, let me be known as a woman of sure faith in the most trying of worldly times.

As I was reading the Word of God early Wednesday morning, my eyes came upon this Scripture:

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” (Dan. 6:10, NLT).

Daniel’s example is the one we should follow regardless of the outcome of this contentious 2020 election. We should kneel down, as usual, and turn toward the windows of heaven. We should expect to hear from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We should expect to be empowered by the Holy Spirit of Pentecost. We should know that every answer we need comes from heaven and not from earthly pundits.

Daniel continued to pray three times a day with celebratory thanksgiving! His praise was not stifled by the events of his culture or by the ruling of his government. Daniel’s heart was set on the bounty of heaven’s blessing in the midst of uncommonly hard times.

I choose, like Daniel, to kneel in the presence of Jehovah-Shalom, the prince of peace. I choose, like Daniel, to keep my heart turned toward the high places of God Almighty. I choose, like Daniel, to continue to praise the one who made me in spite of the cacophony of this earthly kingdom.

What will you choose? {eoa}

Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical, biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. Carol has written 11 books, including Significant, StormProof and Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming.