Article November 12, 1932 Issue

Through the Open Window

ISRAEL PICKENS

ONCE there lived an exiled Hebrew in the city of Babylon whose courage and patience, whose fidelity and spiritual vision, brought not only liberation to himself but a consummation of joy and peace that attended this unfolding spiritual vision of divine reality. Moreover, this man of God furnished an example that witnessed significantly to the repentance and regeneration of his captor king.

The story of Daniel never grows old. Like a flower sending forth rare fragrance and permeating the gentle breezes, the inspiring example of his life grows sweeter, richer, and more beautiful as it becomes better understood by the student of Holy Writ. It is the story of one whose windows were open toward Jerusalem, whose thought was directed Godward in prayer and praise. It records an exemplification of "the beauty of holiness," a true sense of humility, a high and noble consecration to Truth. It is a story beautiful in its delineation of right estimates, of an understanding of true values, real worship, pure heroism, and the abandonment of all that would savor of self-interest. At his window he knelt three times a day to commune with the one God, to bask in the sunshine and pure air of inspiration, holier resolves and desires. Looking outward and beyond the beliefs of finiteness and human limitation he bowed in humble, joyful acknowledgment of God's presence and power.

In Babylon, with its worship of idols—typifying darkness and sin—this man of God lived above and beyond these errors of belief. He had caught the vision of divine reality. His face was set toward the temple of God. Of transcendent import was this thrice-daily prayer. Never too busy or too tired was Daniel for this reverent, strength-giving devotion, in which he found nearness to things divine, a clearer awareness of God, a richer and nobler and firmer determination to live in this light of Truth and Love.

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