Apologies for missing a week. Was out of town for 8 days of fairly intense ministry training. Did not have the capacity to update the website while out of town. Onto this week.
Daniel 6:7-29 TLV
11 Now when Daniel learned that a written decree had been issued, he went into his house, where the windows in his upper room opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he knelt down, prayed and gave thanks before his God, just as he did before. 12 Then these men came as a group and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 13 So they approached the king and spoke to him about the royal decree: “Didn’t you issue a written decree that anyone who prays to any god or man for 30 days—except for you, O king—shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king replied, “The decree stands, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
14 Then they answered and said to the king: “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree that you put in writing. He still prays three times a day!” 15 When the king heard this report, he was deeply distressed, and he set his mind on how he might rescue Daniel. Until sunset he struggled to find a way to save him.
16 Then these men came as a throng in to the king, and said to the king: “Remember, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or edict which the king issues may be altered.”
17 So the king gave the order and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. Now the king spoke to Daniel saying, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 18 A stone was brought to block the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet of his nobles, so that nothing could be changed regarding Daniel. 19 Then the king went to his palace and passed the night fasting—no entertainment was brought before him. He was unable to sleep.
20 At dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 21 As he reached the den, he cried out to Daniel with a voice of anguish. The king spoke out to Daniel saying: “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God, whom you serve continually, able to rescue you from the lions?”
22 Daniel spoke to the king: “May the king live forever! 23 My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths[a] so that they haven’t harmed me, because I was found innocent before Him. Nor have I committed any crime against you, O king.”
24 Then the king was overjoyed, and ordered Daniel taken up out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out of the pit. No injury of any kind was found on him because he had trusted in his God. 25 At the king’s command, those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not even reached the bottom of the pit before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
26 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages dwelling in all the earth:
“May your peace be abundant!
27 I issue a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom people are to tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
“For He is the living God,
enduring forever!
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
His dominion will never end.[b]
28 He delivers and rescues.
He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.
He has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions!”
29 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
This week pray for the Lord to strengthen us that we may "Serve him continually." Not just When we need something (which is akin to Moloch worship...).
We often expect the Lord to move powerfully in our lives when we are not dwelling in his camp.
Pray that the Lord deliver us from the Power of the Lions as we are pressed on all sides in our culture.
Take time to reflect and praise Adonai for the times he HAS delivered and rescued you because he is the Living God, enduring forever.