February 28.
A Worthwhile Habit

Daniel 6:10

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

The princes and presidents of King Darius were jealous of Daniels position and wanted to cause him trouble. They couldn’t find anything negative on Daniel, but they discovered he had a very regular habit. Daniel had a habit of prayer. So these men had a law made that made it illegal to pray for thirty days. Can you imagine going thirty days without prayer? Here is a mother with a sick child and can’t pray for the child for thirty days. But the text says, when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went to his house, opened the window in the direction of Jerusalem and knelt to pray three times a day just as he always did. Daniel had a place for prayer. We should have a special place for prayer. Not only did he have a place for prayer, but he also had a period for prayer, because the Bible says he prayed three times a day. He didn’t change that habit even though the king had signed a decree stating that anyone caught calling on any God besides the King would be summoned to the lions den.

The king’s men caught Daniel praying and hurried over to tell the king. However, Daniel had found favor with the king. Still the law could not be broken. I think the King got his best detectives and attorneys to see if any loopholes could be found. But the attorneys came back with their heads down and said, “There are no loopholes; he’ll have to go to the lion’s den.” But Daniel also found favor with God. The lion’s mouths were shut and he came out unhurt. The king sent for the men who had accused David along with their families and threw them in the lion’s den because of the evil plan they devised. Daniel had a valuable habit!