Day 1: Daniel 12:3

Bible Verse of the Day:

Daniel 12:3 - "Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever"

Reflection:

From this verse, we can see just how precious the gift and virtue of wisdom is, and the profound role it can play within our lives. By seeking out the Lord and obtaining wisdom, rather than being put away or hidden from the eyes of others, God asserts that these people will stand out in faithfulness, being a light that aims to make a difference in the life of those around them. 

However, we must remember that fear of the Lord is the primary and most crucial step in the journey to becoming wise. Because of this, the wisdom that one possesses must be utilized for the glory of the Lord, rather than selfish ambitions or desires that plague the call that God has placed on our life. As a result, those who are wise also have great responsibility, as they should strive to use such gifts received from the Lord to discern the most righteous action in every scenario. 

In addition to this, we see an even greater role and reward for those who spread righteousness. We can see this emphasis that those who use this wisdom for the good of others will not just shine in the eyes of the Lord, but their radiance is eternal just as the stars shine in the sky. Such a statement empowers us to see how we can lead others to follow Christ and inspire them to live a life of faithfulness, refusing to be conformed to the pressures or norms of this world. 

By reflecting on this powerful verse, we should see that we as children of God are not solely called to seek wisdom through the Holy Scripture, prayer, and fear of the Lord, but rather at the same time utilize such gifts and strengths to allow the word of God to flourish in those around us. It is through such holy wisdom that one can not only shine forth in the eyes of God but will stand out like the stars of the sky to those who need it most here on Earth, being a lamp and light to their path that needs to be more fully directed to a heavenly pursuit. 

Prayer:

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, empower us to seek out your heavenly wisdom whole-heartedly, enable us to be a shining light in the world to spread the good news of the Gospel and empower others to live for you. Let us be the guiding lamp that leads others to you, so that we may be able to bask in the righteousness of the Lord and give glory and praise to his name, all the days that we live. Amen.