Daniel was a young man who lived in a city called Babylon. He loved the Lord with all his heart and kept his quiet times strong every day. In fact, he prayed several times a day. God blessed his life so much that some of the other leaders were jealous because he had so much power. They tried to find something to accuse him of, but “they could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Dan. 6:4 NIV).
Daniel was totally, wholeheartedly sold out to the Lord. He was a man of integrity who dealt with honesty and truth. Since they could find no valid means to dishonor him, they made a law that said if you prayed to anyone besides the king for thirty days, you would be thrown into the lion’s den. The king, not paying much attention to what he was doing, got sucked up into making the law. Since he didn’t believe in God anyway, he didn’t realize that Daniel prayed that much.
Now here is what I want you to pay close attention to. Daniel found out about the law, and he determined in his heart that he was going to do what was right, no matter what. Verse 10 shows what Daniel was really made of: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his window opened toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”
The first character trait of a WorldChanger is commitment to God and commitment to quiet times, no matter what the circumstances. No matter what the situation is, you keep focused on the Lord. You leave the world behind. You say, “People can do whatever they want to do to me. It doesn’t matter. I love God with all my heart, and I’m going to do everything that I can to pursue Him with all that I am.” Daniel knew that he might even die because he had chosen to keep quiet times strong, but he didn’t care.
If Daniel could be man enough and love God enough to keep his quiet times even in the face of death, can you have enough faith as a potential WorldChanger to stand up to the challenges and not let anything keep you from your quiet time? This is your chance to have the same kind of character as Daniel and say, “Whatever the world may try to do to me, I am going to love my God and come after him with all my heart in keeping my quiet time every day.” Would you make that commitment today and stick with it, no matter what? I challenge you to be like Daniel. Keep your quiet time whatever the cost.
Excerpt permission granted by Teen Mania Ministries
Ron Luce was the co-founder and president of Teen Mania Ministries from 1986-2015. Ron and his wife Katie dreamed to raise young people who would change the world.
Ron received his bachelor's degree in Psychology and Theology from Oral Roberts University and his master's in Counseling Psychology from the University of Tulsa, along with an honorary doctorate from Jerry Falwell of Liberty University. He is a sought-after speaker who has traveled to more than 60 countries and has made numerous media appearances, such as Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio broadcast, CNN, The O'Reilly Factor, ABC Nightline, The 700 Club, Trinity Broadcasting Network, and the Sean Hannity Show. Ron has also written 35 books for teens, youth pastors, and parents and continues to speak at leaders' conferences helping parents and pastors understand the plight of today's youth and showing them how all of us can be part of the solution.
Ron and Katie currently live in Garden Valley, Texas, with their son Cameron. They have two daughters, Hannah and Charity.