“Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it” (1:1). Daniel’s book opens with the worst disaster in Israel’s history: God allowed the Babylonians to destroy Jerusalem, including Solomon’s Temple, and to carry off its best young people into captivity. But in their exile, Daniel and his friends “resolved not to defile” themselves with unclean food (1:8). While serving the king, they remained faithful to God, and God gave them “knowledge and understanding” that surpassed Babylonian advisors. 

“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his” (2:21). In our worst disasters, even those of our own making, our wise and powerful God is still at work and hears our prayer.