Daniel in the Lions Den--I love this story, don't you?! Okay, so I love the whole book of Daniel . . . because good triumphs over evil again and again. Please take the time to click the link at the beginning of this paragraph and re-read this story for yourself. Take time to notice details you have not paid attention to before.
One thing that really jumps off the page at me is the jealousy the other administrators had toward Daniel. As far as we know, Daniel had been a man of integrity, and he had worked his way to the top through much patience. He had endured the reign of about six different kings. (See timeline)
He had earned his position. Yet the other guys were green with envy. It makes me reflect on times when I have viewed the success of others with a jealous heart. Was I mean, bitter, and caniving toward these people? I can also think of times when I have been the victim of jealous gossip. It should make us stop and think about our words, thoughts, and actions. Don't you think?
Verse 10 is priceless. "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." The government's actions did not affect Daniel's commitment to worship God one little bit!
Can you imagine the predicament in which King Darius found himself? The king planned to give Daniel a great deal of authority. He did not want to have Daniel killed. Yet, the king had signed a law, and he could not set the precedent of repealing decrees to show favoritism. He would have been inundated with future requests. (More on this topic when we study the book of Ezra.)
Instead, both King Darius and Daniel were given the opportunity to demonstrate great faith in the living God. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." (vs. 26-27) Can you imagine the celebration Daniel and the other Hebrews had? I imagine King Darius threw a huge party in their honor. We know the lions feasted heartily on the administrators and their families.
I love it when the good guys win! Now, let's just make sure we are on the right side of justice.
Our next set of readings covers Ezra 3, 6-7, Haggai, and Zechariah 1-2. Do you think you could push me to finish the Old Testament before Easter?? I wish!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Daniel 5
Please read the story in Daniel 5 before reading the blog.
Wake up, Belshazzar! Did you not pay attention to the stories of your ancestor Nebuchadnezzar? His life was a living testimony to the fact that God is able to humble “those who walk in pride.” (Daniel 4:37) As I read Belshazzar’s story, I was reminded how crucial it is to be intentional as we hand down our faith to our children and to our children’s children. In Daniel 5:18-21, Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s story of being humbled by God, and in verse 22, he says that Belshazzar already “knew all this.” Yet, Belshazzar “set himself up against the Lord of heaven.” (v. 23)
Where was the disconnect? If Belshazzar actually knew of the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall from glory, why did he choose to disregard it? Why did the queen mother have to tell Belshazzar to “call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means?” (v. 12) Unfortunately, Belshazzar “knew about” this all-powerful God, but his family had not helped Belshazzar “know” this God personally. It cost him his life.
What am I doing to help my children meet God face-to-face? When my family encounters the God of the universe, I do not want them to react as Belshazzar did in verse 6. “His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.” I must train my children to “honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” (v. 23) I want my family to be very familiar with the truth of the Bible because they have read it for themselves. I want my family to be very comfortable talking to Jesus because they pray to Him daily. I want my family to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power because they worship Him regularly.
Lord God, you do hold my life in your hand. Help me be a living example of your truth to my children.
Wake up, Belshazzar! Did you not pay attention to the stories of your ancestor Nebuchadnezzar? His life was a living testimony to the fact that God is able to humble “those who walk in pride.” (Daniel 4:37) As I read Belshazzar’s story, I was reminded how crucial it is to be intentional as we hand down our faith to our children and to our children’s children. In Daniel 5:18-21, Daniel recounts Nebuchadnezzar’s story of being humbled by God, and in verse 22, he says that Belshazzar already “knew all this.” Yet, Belshazzar “set himself up against the Lord of heaven.” (v. 23)
Where was the disconnect? If Belshazzar actually knew of the story of Nebuchadnezzar’s fall from glory, why did he choose to disregard it? Why did the queen mother have to tell Belshazzar to “call for Daniel, and he will tell you what the writing means?” (v. 12) Unfortunately, Belshazzar “knew about” this all-powerful God, but his family had not helped Belshazzar “know” this God personally. It cost him his life.
What am I doing to help my children meet God face-to-face? When my family encounters the God of the universe, I do not want them to react as Belshazzar did in verse 6. “His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way.” I must train my children to “honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.” (v. 23) I want my family to be very familiar with the truth of the Bible because they have read it for themselves. I want my family to be very comfortable talking to Jesus because they pray to Him daily. I want my family to be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power because they worship Him regularly.
Lord God, you do hold my life in your hand. Help me be a living example of your truth to my children.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Daniel 4
Oh, how I have missed blogging with you! This has definitely been a week of the Tyranny of the Urgent. I feel like I have been forced to put Bible study on the back burner this week. It makes me miserable! I need some encouragement to stay consistent.
Will you read Daniel 4 with me? It begins with King Nebuchadnezzar telling the story of the previous 8 years of his life. Hindsight is 20/20, and without a doubt, Nebuchadnezzar wished he could turn back time and make a different choice.
In verses 4-8, Nebuchadnezzar had another one of his troubling dreams, but this time he told the magicians the details without making it a guessing game. Verse 8 begins with "Finally, Daniel came . . ." Didn't it make you wonder why the king didn't consult Daniel first? Verse 9 shows that the king had confidence in Daniel's ability; so I am very curious to understand why he even bothered to ask the other wise men's opinions.
After Daniel confirmed that the king's dream was a bad omen, he offered some words of wisdom in verse 27. "Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue." And Nebuchadnezzar completely disregarded Daniel's advice!! He was able to escape the consequences for a year, but then his selfish pride got the best of him, and the dream came true. Because Nebuchadnezzar refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of the One True God, he was driven away to live with the wild animals for seven years.
At the end of the seven years, the king chose to praise and glorify God, and God restored his kingdom. This time, Nebuchadnezzar seemed to understand that God has the power to humble the proud and that all things belong to God Almighty.
So, how can this story apply to our lives? First of all, am I walking in humility or selfish pride? Do I recognize that all good things come from the Father, and am I quick to praise Him for everything? Do I point others to Christ, and do I invite them to praise and exalt His Name with me? The Bible says in at least three different places that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Let's make it our goal to be worthy of His grace!
Will you read Daniel 4 with me? It begins with King Nebuchadnezzar telling the story of the previous 8 years of his life. Hindsight is 20/20, and without a doubt, Nebuchadnezzar wished he could turn back time and make a different choice.
In verses 4-8, Nebuchadnezzar had another one of his troubling dreams, but this time he told the magicians the details without making it a guessing game. Verse 8 begins with "Finally, Daniel came . . ." Didn't it make you wonder why the king didn't consult Daniel first? Verse 9 shows that the king had confidence in Daniel's ability; so I am very curious to understand why he even bothered to ask the other wise men's opinions.
After Daniel confirmed that the king's dream was a bad omen, he offered some words of wisdom in verse 27. "Therefore, O king, be pleased to accept my advice: Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue." And Nebuchadnezzar completely disregarded Daniel's advice!! He was able to escape the consequences for a year, but then his selfish pride got the best of him, and the dream came true. Because Nebuchadnezzar refused to acknowledge the sovereignty of the One True God, he was driven away to live with the wild animals for seven years.
At the end of the seven years, the king chose to praise and glorify God, and God restored his kingdom. This time, Nebuchadnezzar seemed to understand that God has the power to humble the proud and that all things belong to God Almighty.
So, how can this story apply to our lives? First of all, am I walking in humility or selfish pride? Do I recognize that all good things come from the Father, and am I quick to praise Him for everything? Do I point others to Christ, and do I invite them to praise and exalt His Name with me? The Bible says in at least three different places that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Let's make it our goal to be worthy of His grace!
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