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:
I continue to look for new opportunities for the Lord to use me in ministry. Is that crazy at almost 80! Daniel served in a leadership role well past his eightieth year. He 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
Such great scripture, learning, and prayer, this morning. We love You Lord and thank You for saving Daniel as our example, today. Thank You Jesus for being our living example. Who have we in heaven but You, Lord?! God is the strength of our hearts and our portions forever. Amen! Praying for the wellness and safety of fellow saints, and that all your needs are being met.
Charles Spurgeon’s Morning by Morning
“My beloved.”
Song of Songs 2:8 KJV
“We often speak of Christ as our souls’ beloved. He is very precious to us, “outstanding among ten thousand… altogether lovely” (Song 5:10, 16).
“The love between Jesus and the Church is so strong, that the apostle dares to defy the whole universe to separate her from Christ’s love. Persecutions cannot do this. Neither can trouble nor hardship nor famine nor danger. ‘No,’ he boasts, ‘in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us’ (Romans 8:35, 37).”
“O that we knew more of thee, thou ever precious one!
‘My sole possession is thy love;
In earth beneath, or heaven above,
I have no other store;
And though with fervent suit I pray,
And importune thee day by day,
I ask thee nothing more.'”
Here in Your Presence with Lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq8P5i9U7-g
Here is the link to: /CHARLES SPURGEON’S MORNING AND EVENING – FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020. It is the full version of the shortened One Minute Devotion, above. Such depth in his writing that takes us into the very beauty of His Holy Presence. Oh, how we love and worship You, Lord! Amen.
https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/morning-and-evening/today
Thank you,Beverlee “for all of the above”.I have that link opened in another tab and will read it next.God bless
Daniel 6:25-27 bear repeating:
“Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and his rule will never end.
He rescues and saves his people;
he performs miraculous signs and wonders
in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.””
Thank You, Lord God. You are mighty, yet You call us to come into Your presence. Be glorified throughout this world, Lord, we ask in Jesus’s name, amen
Amen…thank you, Rob…so wonderfully put into print. Blessings
Amen
I searched several times lately for the movie Daniel on Youtube but it seems to have been acquired by Pureflix?I always enjoyed it over the past several years and reading Daniel summons these scenes from that movie,like being there.
Inspired by Psalm 73:24-25
With wise counsel Thou will guide me
‘Til in glory Thou make me free,
For Who in heaven have I but Thee
And with no mortal I choose but with Thee to be,
For earthly strength may up and flee;
But Thou be my portion for eternity.
(G.W.)Bill Marshall/Oct 09, 2015
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Idols
Woe to they who can’t foresee
Their path without the Almighty
When they choose to fall mightly,
Forsaking the gift of eternity,
For if only they could see
What their idols truly be,
Then repentance would be their decree,
For blind are the eyes ne’er free
Until they have called out to Thee.
GW(Bill) Marshall (2015)
Amen
Great to focus on the Lord. Trying time now. Went for a walk praising His Name (in a very strong wind). Forecast is for a temp drop from +17 to -2 tomorrow morning (sunny though)! Love that churches are putting services on the internet while we can’t physically meet together!! Blessings all.
Yes, blessings all, keep safe and healthy
So wonderful to read the postings; God bless all of you; yes this is very trying times; the virus going around the world; panic everywhere; poverty;abuse; Lord God we know that You have us in the palm of Your Hand, we pray that You will keep us safe; bless our children; bless Your Word as it goes around the world; bless our leaders in governments, communities, homes, in churches; Yes Lord forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who have trespassed against us, in Jesus Name we pray amen
Amen SAH… am praying your prayer along with you!