The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made the final pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, No. 259 in the seventh round. It’s known as the annual “Mr. Irrelevant” selection because most fans have already turned off the TV by then. The Bucs selected Grant Stuard, a linebacker from the University of Houston. Although Stuard faces significant hurdles to making the team, he was used to finding hope when very little else in his life seemed certain. “My mom is a drug addict. She used to work in the sex industry,” Stuard told ESPN. “My dad was in prison for a good portion of our young lives. Even when he wasn’t in prison, he was very absent when we were growing up. That results in both parents being absent most of the time.” How did he stay on track? Football, he said. And faith. “Whatever empty void that is there left from lack of parents or bad parenting, wisdom from the Lord and a relationship with the Lord fill both of those voids.”

Daniel 9-10; 12 – Enduring Discipline

The Book of Daniel contains several chapters discussing the end times. One of the visions given to Daniel revealed the judgment and tribulation his people would encounter. As Grant Stuard discovered in his life, there is hope even in the worst circumstances. Those who trust in Jesus Christ through His sacrifice, death, and resurrection will find the ultimate Source of hope!

Studying Daniel’s prophecies is important, but it’s also crucial to understand Daniel’s life. He carried the discipline of prayer with him to Babylon. That’s probably one of the greatest lessons from reading this book.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete dedicate time each day to pray, increasing the likelihood of them to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Bible Memory Verse – “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will cause a kingdom to rise up which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself stand forever.” Daniel 2:44 (LSB)