“In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I didn’t eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn’t put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over. He said to me, “Daniel, you are a man treasured by God. Understand the words that I’m saying to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you.” After he said this to me, I stood trembling. “Don’t be afraid, Daniel,” he said to me, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your prayers were heard. I have come because of your prayers. He said, “Don’t be afraid, you who are treasured by God. Peace to you; be very strong!” As he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my Lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”” Daniel 10:2-3, 11-12, 19 CSB https://bible.com/bible/1713/dan.10.2-19.CSB

Twice, Daniel is called treasured by God. I want to be called by God a treasure. What made Daniel a treasure? He earnestly sought God in humility and for understanding God’s will so that he could obey God’s ways. Daniel’s humility was expressed through grieving at evil, fasting, prayer, and Scripture reading. Daniel paid to know God and was given the privilege of intimacy with God. Do we want more of God? As a result of Daniel’s seeking God, God sought and spoke to him directly, revealing words and visions that no other prophet had the privilege of hearing. Through Jesus, we can have even greater intimacy with God than Daniel, but we must also pay to seek God. We must pay with our time. We must pay with our obedience, deny ourselves, and work toward expanding God’s kingdom upon earth as it is in heaven. The cross opened the door to intimacy with God. The Holy Spirit dwells within those who love the Lord Jesus and seek to please Him. The word of God is available and abundant for our study. What do we want? Whom do we want to be like? I want to be like Daniel. I want to be treasured by God. I want to pray more, care more, love more, and serve more so that I can experience more of the power and presence of God in my life for no other reason than to receive His pleasure, especially on that day I see Him face to face and hope to hear Him say to me, well done My good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.