Tuesday: Daniel in Persia
And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
(Dan. 6:20). The king called Daniel the servant of the living God.
What is implied in those words?
Image © Kim Justinen from GoodSalt.com
In Daniel 6, with the change of empire and king, Daniel still kept his position and was even promoted, becoming one of three presidents to whom 120 satraps were to report. King Darius even considered appointing him vizier over his whole kingdom, arousing the antipathy of the other presidents and satraps. They induced the king to make an empire-wide decree that really was aimed at Daniel alone. He was thrown into a den of lions, but God dramatically intervened in a situation that even the sympathetic king could not reverse. Daniel’s deliverance so pleased the king that he issued an empire-wide royal decree exalting the God of Daniel.
Then King Darius wrote to all nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:
(Dan. 6:25-27 NIV).May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. 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
Read Daniel 6. What in the chapter indicates that Daniel had already been a great witness to the king? Also, what in the king’s decree indicates that he knew more about Daniel’s God than he could have learned merely from the dramatic rescue? What does this tell us about Daniel’s witness to him?
(24)
Burdened by a decision made under deception and in a lamentable voice King Darius inquires about God’s ability to deliver (Daniel 6:20). He seemed to be saying, “Lord I believe, help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) However the pivotal phrase of the statement is probably the reference to Daniel serving the Living God continually (Psalm 34:10-15). This is the key.
Some will shout about Jehovah showing up to deliver, and rightly so (Psalm 71:1-4). Still, where is the Lord when there is no apparent threat of danger, when the saints seem to have things under control, and sense little need for help? Where is God when decisions are made about the activities of the day and when they are actually being executed?
Daniel remained in the counsel of the Lord as he carried out the duties of the state (Daniel 5:10-12) and in his private time (Daniel 6:10; Psalm 55:17). God was his Supervisor on the job and his Father in the home.
Before Michael shows up to deliver the saints (Daniel 12:1) the Master is present to direct the course of His servants (Psalm 24:5).
Those who serve the Living God continually abide in the presence of their Lord and do not have to call Him from elsewhere, for He is already near (Psalm 16:7-9). They are not merely beneficiaries of His mercy or miraculous deliverance; they are recipients of His refining grace which makes them more like their Shepherd and Holy Companion (Psalm 23:1-3).
The Deliverer ought to be your Shepherd and He wants to be your friend. Will you make Him?
Daniel promoted his God and made sure that his faith does not shake .
Prayer thought: Lord help us to be like Daniel daily in all our activities of each day, make us Lord your dedicated children! Help us to stop pretending but to be your children and let you Supervice our lives and allow you to be the Lord of our lives every second of each day! We want to be like Daniel and we believe you can help us to be, in the name of our Lord jesus I pray Lord amen!
Daniel walked with God daily, so what we would consider a crisis was just a bump in the road for a man whose mind was at peace with the Lord. He could say with confidence, as Job did, "though He slay me, yet will I serve Him. Eternal life was his surety, as it can be ours as well!
I like the story of Daniel bcoz it shows us tht when u really have faith and u are in healthy saving relationship with God even ur worst enemy will surely bow to u(not tht we want them to bow but becoz of the Glory of God and his protection upon us. The king tried everything to pull Daniel down and God was alwys there to pull him up, let's give our lives to God and in good time wl be pulled up.
maybe we should start by giving our lives to God indeed, and maybe in that way we can also be able to love our kids as well and really dedicate ourselves to those that we love.
this is a very important story indeed. Daniel deed all that was needed from his side, and when he got into trouble God stood by his side, he did not neglect his DUTIES. he prayed at the right time and he was lifted up at the right time.
I admire Daniel in his deeds, he removes fear I'm saying this because so many people if they were to meet a great ruler like the king in this article, they would not be able to stand against him imagine if it were our today's presidents, would we accept to be put in jail for God's sake? God should help us ,he created us without fear let's act fearless
Dare to be a Daniel. Dare to stand alone.... A cowardly and silent reserve
before evil associates, while you listen to their devices, makes you one with
them.... Have courage to do right. Our High Calling 256
The greatest want of the world is the want of men—men who
will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true
and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men
whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men
who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.
But such a character is not the result of accident; it is not due
to special favors or endowments of Providence. A noble character
is the result of self-discipline, of the subjection of the lower to the
higher nature—the surrender of self for the service of love to God
and man. Education 57
Daniel ' s life was a living test on of his faith in God. He exhibited integrity in all he did, he mKing's ained a constant prayer life and demonstrated that he trusted his God. That is how weshould life the Christian life and we will not have to utter a word, but people will see and know that we are different.
Another point I gleaned from the text was that the king himself became a is sion ary for God. The King's statement in verses 26 and 27 of Daniel 6 is a clear gospel message to all nations kindred and tongues. Daniel had made a convert of the king and only in eternity will we know how many hearts were converted when they followed the King's decree to fear and reverence God.
As we carry out the great commission can we look how the use of power with the king only temporarily or outwordly changed the actions of the king. True power is "LOVE" as demonstrated at the cross. Let us in these days preach Christ and Christ only with all the evidence of His Loving life. And as we see Christ we see the Father as the Holy Spirit reveals to each one of us.
unshakable faith can only be rooted in Jesus, 'the author and finisher of our faith', Hebrews 12.2
How did Darius know about Daniel's God? The answer is in another question - why did Darius choose Daniel as one of the three top rulers in his kingdom?
Oh Daniel has the God in whom you continually serve saved you? Daniel knew God already and walked with him on a daily basis . So it was easy for this God who was ever near to rescue him in times of trouble . What about us? We call upon God only when we are in trouble .
King Darius had knowledge that Daniel served his God continually to make this statement. The witness of continual service to God along with his excellent service to the king was a powerful witness to this kings heart.
Many a times we have been taken to captivity by either our jobs,friends, education, marriage and many others, where we're needed to follow rules and regulations that are against our God's commandments. As Daniel and the three stood firm so we should to let other know the true God never should we compromise our faith even though heaven falls.
Our actions should spewing more. This World is the exile we are in and through our actions of love n sharing His Word many shall be led to Christ as we await the freedom from exile (world) to eternal freedom in new heaven and earth
For all of us are waiting for His second coming. Priscillah Onsando
Prophecy tells us that countries will make laws to enforce worship and from this story we see that the King loved and respected Daniel, so intended him no harm. That is the same way that Satan will deceive political leaders to make laws against God's commandment while really intending God's people no harm. These leaders would be thinking that they are helping God's people!
There is a wonderful promise interlaced throughout the passage of Isaiah 54. Notice the conditions upon which this beautiful promise is based in verse 17: service and righteousness by faith. Daniel was familiar with the book of Isaiah. By the king's own words Daniel was known to serve God "continually". God was always Daniel's highest consideration in every choice made, every word spoken, and every kindness, courtesy and sympathy extended to others. This type of service is seen by all. Even Daniel's enemies saw it, though blinded by jealous coveting which concealed from them Daniel's true worth.
The events portrayed in Daniel 6 are very similar to what is happening in our workplace and even in church. Like Daniel, we are to be so connected with the Lord that even when we are not deliberately witnessing our life is a witness.
By God's grace the only fault that our coworkers will be able to find is that we place nothing in front of God.
Let us endure these trials with patience and faithfulness to God because they are the means by which God is preparing us for the great trials that will face us before the close of earth's history. Let us run faithfully with the footmen and horsemen so that we will be experts in faith when the swelling of Jordan comes. Jeremiah 12:5.
Perhaps Daniel learned by his difficulties and circumstances to walk with and serve the living God.We also have the benefit of knowledge concerning him and the experience of many since him including the life of Jesus and the disciples to draw upon in our understanding the nature and character of God. There is opportunity for every sinner to know and to walk with God and in the councils of the Most High God.He would have audience with any soul who approaches Himself through the merrit of His Son Jesus. He never changes. Growing up in the right circumstances is not necessary to know and to walk with the Lord God through His divine grace.
For me, there is one more point i have gotten from this post. Daniel was committed to his work ( faithful in his duties)which made the king love him so much that he considered elevating him above every other governor in the kingdom. this calls for us to put much energies to our jobs. Imagine if Daniel was corrupt, lazy and inconsistent, would the king have considered his promotion? Agreed, the favour of God was with Daniel, to prosper him in whatever he did, but remember, even he had a role to play, to bring the favour of God to fruition. Today the world is so corrupt that even we are not spared. the desire to own the whole world has engulfed people's mind; social media is contributing to low productivity in civil service and this results in misuse of work time for the people. The bible in Ecclesiastes tells us that whatever our work, we should do it with all our mighty. I believe this is the principle Daniel applied that made him popular because he was so committed to his work. Let us therefore not give the devil a chance by lazying around at work places, but work to impress our employers so that even if we are to share the word with them, our attitude towards work speaks volumes about who we are. It can be very sad to see an adventist being implicated in corruption, theft of public funds, etc..., Like Daniel,let our only fault be obedience to God, Period! this is a greatest sermon to a boss or an employer!
possible indicators that Darius already knew a lot about the God of Daniel before the miraculous rescue from the lion's den can be seen in his final decree;
1) dan 6:26 -He is the God who endures forever and his kingdom will never end. –Daniel may have told king Darrius about the visions of the big statue revealed to king Nebuchadnezzar.
2)dan 6:27- He is the God who performs wonders in the heavens and on the earth. –Daniel could have told king Darius about the wonders of the mysterious writing on the wall, that preceded the victory of the medes and Persians to take over world-wide power to rule the whole earth. Thus he must have told king Darrius that it is by God’s plan that he is king and not of his own might or power.
Yes Elizabeth. Daniel was an active ambassador for God at all times. There was a reason this leading government official of the conquered nation was retained and set over the new officials. The testimony of others, and I'm sure the thorough interviews of Daniel himself revealed the wisdom only God could impart to His humble, obedient servant. Jesus taught we (anyone) would know others by their fruit. The fruit of Daniel's reputation was known throughout that world. (Eze 14:14-20)
Surely Daniel left a big challenge to us believers, Daniel being faithful to God he succeeded which is a debt, a task to us are we faithful not only that. How have we preached the gospel? through what happened to Daniel every one was aware of Daniels living God. A challenge for us.