🌿 Greatly Loved 🌿
📖 Daniel 9:23 – “As soon as you began to pray, a word went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly loved. Therefore, consider the word and understand the vision.”
✨ Who is Daniel?
Daniel was a young Hebrew taken captive to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar conquered Jerusalem (Daniel 1:1–7). Even in exile, Daniel remained faithful to God, refusing to defile himself with the king’s food (Daniel 1:8). He was gifted with wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams and visions, which placed him in high positions of influence in Babylon (Daniel 2:48).
Daniel 9:1-27
🔟 Things You Should Know About Daniel in the Bible
1. He was taken into exile as a youth
Daniel was carried from Jerusalem to Babylon to serve in the king’s court (Daniel 1:3–6).
2. He chose to remain pure
He refused the king’s food and wine, staying faithful to God’s law, and was blessed with health and wisdom (Daniel 1:8–16).
3. God gave him wisdom and understanding
Daniel could interpret dreams and visions, a gift that set him apart (Daniel 1:17).
4. He interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream
Daniel revealed the king’s forgotten dream and its meaning, proving God’s sovereignty (Daniel 2).
5. His friends survived the fiery furnace
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the blazing furnace for refusing to bow to an idol, but God protected them (Daniel 3:16–27).
6. He was elevated to high positions
Daniel served under multiple kings (Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius, and Cyrus) and was always found faithful (Daniel 6:1–3).
7. He was thrown into the lions’ den
Because of his devotion to prayer, Daniel was cast into a den of lions—but God shut their mouths (Daniel 6:16–23).
8. He was a man of prayer
Daniel prayed three times daily, no matter the cost, making prayer the foundation of his life (Daniel 6:10).
9. He received visions and prophecies of the future
Daniel saw visions about coming empires, the Messiah, and the end times (Daniel 7–12).
10. He lived a life of integrity and faithfulness
Even foreign kings testified that Daniel had “the spirit of the holy God” in him (Daniel 4:8–9). His unwavering faith influenced nations.
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✨ Summary: Daniel’s life is a testimony of courage, faith, and God’s power to save—from kings, from fire, from lions, and even from despair in exile.
Yet, despite his wisdom and power, Daniel was most known for his faithfulness in prayer and unwavering devotion to God—even when threatened with the lions’ den (Daniel 6:10–23).
✨ Greatly Loved
In Daniel 9, we find him praying earnestly for his people, confessing sins, and seeking God’s mercy. Before he could even finish, the angel Gabriel appeared with this powerful message: “You are greatly loved.”
This reveals three truths:
When Daniel prayed with sincerity, humility, and a repentant heart, God immediately heard him. The angel Gabriel was sent with a message of assurance: “You are greatly loved.”
✨ What does this mean for us today?
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God Hears Our Prayers Quickly – Before Daniel even finished, God had already responded. Prayer doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
“Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) -
We Are Precious to God – Just as Daniel was called “greatly loved,” we too are beloved children of God through Christ (Romans 8:38–39).
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you.” (Isaiah 43:4) -
Love Gives Us Strength – Daniel was overwhelmed with visions and burdens, yet God’s reminder of love gave him courage to carry on.
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” (Jeremiah 31:3)
💡 Reflection Questions:
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Do I truly believe that I am greatly loved by God?
Do I live each day knowing that I am greatly loved by God? -
How does the assurance of His love change the way I pray and live daily?
How does God’s love give me courage in times of trials, like it did for Daniel? -
In what ways can I respond to His love with faithfulness, like Daniel did?
In what ways can I respond to His love with faithfulness and prayer?
🙏 Prayer:
“Lord, thank You for reminding me that I am greatly loved in Your eyes. Help me to live each day with this assurance, to trust in Your plans, and to remain faithful in prayer just as Daniel did. Amen.”
✨ Takeaway:
Whenever you feel weak, unworthy, or unnoticed—remember Daniel 9:23. Heaven sees you. Heaven hears you. You are greatly loved. ❤️
Daniel’s life shows us that no matter where we are—in exile, in trials, or in positions of power—God’s love is unchanging. You are seen. You are heard. You are greatly loved. ❤️
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