Obituary of Mr. Daniel Devanur

Daniel Devanur’s Life: Legacy of Faith, Endurance & Hope

Daniel Devanur was born on 24^th November 2005 at Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. He lived his initial formative years in Melbourne growing up under the loving care of extended immediate family & the fellowship of the Church family of South Hawthorn United Church where we as a family used to worship.

            Daniel was a very quiet person with gentle nature. He never used to hurt any person in spite of being wronged on many occasions. He always thought about the well-being of other persons and used to be the first to lend a helping hand in case a person needed assistance. He missed his grandparents. He used to talk to them, was longing to see them and spend time with them.

            Daniel all through his years of suffering never gave up hope. His mum instilled in him a strong sense of giving first preference to God in all his activities. His belief in Christ was strong. Daniel always started his day reading the bible scripture and spending time in prayer before commencing his daily routine schedule. He completed reading the bible twice in his lifetime and had started the third reading. He used to ask questions and have discussions with dad related to theological issues relating to scripture passages. His questions related to scripture, life issues and ethical challenges facing him and the issues present in the world. His questions were profound and dad did not have a straight forward answer and had to put a lot of thought to answer them. We always strived to instill hope that there is a purpose of God and it will be revealed with the passage of time. Some questions just stayed as question mark? And there was no easy answer. In spite of his long journey in suffering he always quietly endured the pain. He took the initiative and made efforts to speak to his teachers and discuss the requirements to fulfill his course requirements. He was just 3 courses shy of completing his 12^th grade graduation. He always took the time to help his sister in her studies and always guided her in the way she has to behave with people in school & in the society. He had a strong interest in science with special focus in marine biology. He always loved the Church, worship time and his time at Church. He missed being at Church. He asked us a few days before, “Dad, mum when I get better can you take me to Church. We said sure Son definitely”. But God’s plans were different and Daniel was called to be in the loving arms of the Lord Jesus Christ on 24^th March 2023. The bible clearly says in Isaiah 55: Verse 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.  

            We thank God and praise God for the life of Daniel. Although very short, Daniel has left us a legacy of persistence in faith no matter the cost, his endurance which had no limits and never gave up hope till the last breath of his life. Daniel’s shining example has left us a lasting impression as Paul the apostle says in 2 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing”.