Col 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
It is easy to give thanks to the Lord when things are fine and dandy. People even sometimes involuntarily blurt out “Thank God” with little reliefs like being able to make a turn just before the traffic light turns red, getting an excellent parking spot on a rush day or having a desired shoe in one’s size.
When Colossians 3:17 says “whatever” we do, this includes those times when we need to do something against our will because it is what pleases God.
Daniel exemplifies this kind of thanksgiving attitude which Christ-redeemed lives ought to have. What a calling…
In Daniel Chapter 6 v4… 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.
so they tried to create a decree that would make it illegal to pray to any god or human during the next thirty days or be thrown in the lion’s den (v 7).
When the king approved this decree, Daniel’s response was remarkable:
9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 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.
Daniel did not hide in an inner closet or pray silently as he walked around. The verse does not mention that he asked for fire and brimstone on the people who wanted to fault him with right-doing since they couldn’t find wrongdoing in him. The verse mentions that Daniel got down on his knees just as before, three times a day and he gave thanks to God.
What faith Daniel has! And this is how God responded to his faith:
21 Daniel answered,… “22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
God spared Daniel.
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
It was through the king that justice was brought on the men who wronged Daniel:
24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
And the king himself, an unbeliever, gave honor and reverence to God!
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:
“May you prosper greatly!
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
BUTTERFLY IN THE SPRING 
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