Passage Read: Daniel 8-11
Meditation Verse: 10:11
Thought
Daniel is highly esteemed. His book records such words several times. Ezekiel seems to point to him as well, in a set of his prophecies. Yet Daniel, for all his position and wisdom and authority, Daniel does not seem the least bit arrogant. Committed to God, unconcerned for his own life, compassionate and caring of God's people, his friends and even the kings set over him, but not arrogant. Simple and humble and full of wisdom and grace. It is no wonder God's servants would call him one who is highly favored. It is no wonder why he would in fact be highly favored by God. Being favored by God, acknowledging his favored status in his own record, does not mean he was arrogant, but simply truthful. And he shows the way that anyone else could be so highly favored by God.
Application
An arrogant man could never be highly favored by God, the two are mutually exclusive. Daniel's life bears out his humility. It is because of his humility that he is highly favored. Indeed, you can only be highly favored by God because of humility and a commitment to seek and serve the Lord, with a full understanding of Him as God and me as unworthy servant. Understanding my standing before God allows Him to give me greater roles and responsibilities, show me more favor, because He knows I won't get a big head and lose sight of who I really am and who He really is.