DANIEL PROSPERED
Today’s Reading: Daniel 5-6
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
On display in the Archaeological Museum in Pella Greece is a floor mosaic of Hunting a Lion. Today’s reading takes us into a lion’s den with Daniel.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his CUSTOM since early days.
To what are we accustomed, and do we maintain a consistent “CUSTOM” as Daniel did? A “CUSTOM” is an unwritten rule or routine, something one does habitually. Something one does over and over as an act of willpower becomes a habit in about two weeks. Let’s follow Daniel’s example!!!
Daniel 5 moves us to the next generation past Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar has set Daniel aside, but the Queen Mother remembers Daniel. He’s available when needed to represent the true and only God. The saying, “Like father, like son” is true here. In 5:22 Daniel says to Belshazzar, who was using the sacred vessels of the Jerusalem Temple to worship the idols, “But you, his [Nebuchadnezzar’s] son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.” There’s a lesson here for us all. Every generation must learn truth for themselves. Like the Queen Mother, we must reach into our memories and tell the stories that pass on the truth! Belshazzar is killed. Darius overthrows the Babylonian Empire, and the Empire of the Medes and Persians begins.
Daniel 6 shows Daniel once again placed by the new ruler into a key position of leadership. All the emperors have received a revelation of the true God. Darius learned through the miracle of Daniel’s safety from the lions. Cyrus, the Persian king, who may have been the son of Queen Esther, the Jewess, steps into place when Daniel is an old man in his eighties. Imagine a man serving during the reigns of four kings with integrity, consistency, and most of all, godliness…an example of what a person can be!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’m challenged by Daniel’s life! I pray for grace to be consistent in my prayer life and faithful to read and learn from Your Holy Word! I ask this in the Name of the One Who is the greatest Example of consistency, Jesus Christ. Amen!!!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Daniel served in a leadership role well past his eightieth year. I’ve got so much energy these days that I’m looking for new opportunities for the Lord to use me in ministry. Is that crazy at almost 80! People keep telling me that I look so well now. I tell anyone who will listen that I believe God has healed me. It was four years ago last weekend that I was given a two-year life expectancy!
Daniel must have been almost 90 when, as the last verse of today’s reading says, “He prospered.” Well, if Cyrus was the son of Esther, the Jewess, then he had a soft spot in his heart for this Jewish man named Daniel. I’m speculating here, but then the Scripture does say, “Your old men dream dreams!”
Yours for living all our days to the full and for serving the Lord through serving others,
David
Oh praise God for your healing, David!!! Daniel in the lion’s den being saved and protected by our God is an awesome reminder of his greatness, amen! Wishing all saints a most blessed day, in our Lord. What an awesome God we serve!!!
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7 NIV
Forever God Is Faithful, Michael W. Smith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSM96OA39ic
From Streams in the Desert, March 20th; so beautiful:
“I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured,
As o’er me rolled a crushing load of woe;
The cry, the call, e’en the low moan was stifled;
I pressed my lips; I barred the tear drop’s flow.
I will be still, although I cannot see it,
The love that bares a soul and fans pain’s fire;
That takes away the last sweet drop of solace,
Breaks the lone harp string, hides Thy precious lyre.
But God is love, so I will bide me, bide me–
We’ll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still;
We’ll wait till after while, when He shall lift us
Yes, after while, when it shall be His will.
And I did listen to my heart’s brave promise;
And I did quiver, struggling to be still;
And I did lift my tearless eyes to Heaven,
Repeating ever, “Yea, Christ, have Thy will.”
But soon my heart upspake from ‘neath our burden,
Reproved my tight-drawn lips, my visage sad:
“We can do more than this, O Soul,” it whispered.
“We can be more than still, we can be glad!”
And now my heart and I are sweetly singing–
Singing without the sound of tuneful strings;
Drinking abundant waters in the desert,
Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle’s wings.”
S. P. W.
So glad to hear you are feeling so well David! It’s inspiring to hear your desire to find new opportunities to serve the Lord.
It’s also so inspiring to read of Daniel and the lions’ den, no matter how often you hear the story.
Amen!
Love the story of Daniel and praising the LORD that HE continues to be with you blessing you with good health. May this good health allow you to move ahead with the ministry HE has for you to do and we are anxious to be a part of.
Amen Praise God for keeping you well and energetic Pastor David!!
Thank you for posting this blog each day. I am enjoying it. But today I feel confused. Cyrus reigned at 539 BC. My study bible says Xrxes, who married Esther, reigned at 486 BC – 50 years after Cyrus. So that makes Cyrus older than Esther doesn’t it?
Betty, with King Ahasuerus, Esther had one son, named Darius II. He was referred to as Cyrus King Of Persia aka King Darius The Mede, Son of Ahasuerus
Still confused says: Darius is the father of Xerxes, also called Ahasuerus.
Darius II reigned 424 to 405. He is not Cyrus, because Cyrus reigned in 538
Amen!! Beverlee Kay.
Praise our Lord Jesus Christ in whom we trust for ever! Amen.
How I rejoice with you for His healing touch, David! He is faithful; He is REAL! How about using that God-given energy to host a program for seniors on YES TV — like those you used to host: the good old-time music, like you and Norma Jean, and her brothers. May the Lord continue to bless you and make you a blessing!
Yes, Praise God for your healing David and your testimony today. Have had a situation come into my life that is getting me up early to pray. Related to this, Pastor Charles Price spoke today that God’s silences teaches us not to take Him for granted, and drives us to seek, ask and knock. God is so much more real when we have to wrestle and fight and seek Him.
The song and poem you posted ministered to me today Beverlee. Great to hear you have so much energy David.
Amen. God bless you, sister Ger!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. So very glad. To hear that you are doing do well Pastor David.
Blessings on this Lord’s Day to all.
Praying for you Ger! Praying all is well, praying God will give you all the strength you need AMEN
I was thinking of my life as a young person, I had a very “typical” dysfunctional family! In spite of the the alcohol problems, growing up problems, mental health issues, my parents would go to church every Sunday, some 25 miles, fine in the good months, but my dad was responsible for seeing that the roads were ploughed in the winter and in Alberta, well, we got snow! But we always went to church! Sometimes we would fight all the way to church, then go and sing and pray, and back home, fighting all the way! It’s funny now! But I am thankful for that time, and I am so amazed how God worked through it all in spite of all the dysfunction! Thank you Lord, thank you , in Jesus Name AMEN