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Thursday – 28 November 2013
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Verses:
Daniel 6:12-28
Daniel 3:68-74
Luke 21:20-28
Daniel 6:12-28
12 So they
went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish
a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human
being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”
The king answered, “The
decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which
cannot be repealed.”
13 Then they
said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no
attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still
prays three times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was
greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort
until sundown to save him.
15 Then the
men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty,
that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the
king issues can be changed.”
16 So the
king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.
The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue
you!”
17 A stone
was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with
his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s
situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to
his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment
being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the
first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When
he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel,
servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able
to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel
answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel,
and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found
innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your
Majesty.”
23 The king
was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel
was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in
his God.
24 At the
king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and
thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before
they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all
their bones.
25 Then King
Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:
“May you prosper greatly!
26 “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.
27 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.”
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 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.”
28 So Daniel
prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrusthe Persian.
Daniel 3:68-74
Dew and frost, praise and
exalt him for ever. Ice and cold, praise and exalt him for ever. Frost and
snow, praise and exalt him for ever. Days and nights, praise and exalt him for
ever. Light and darkness, praise and exalt him for ever. Lightnings and clouds,
praise and exalt him for ever. Earth, praise and exalt him for ever.
Luke 21:20-28
New International Version
(NIV)
20 “When you
see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is
near. 21 Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains,
let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city.
22 For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all
that has been written. 23 How dreadful it will be in those days
for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the
land and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the
sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be
trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 “There
will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in
anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People
will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the
heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see
the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When
these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your
redemption is drawing near.”
INSIGHTFUL WISDOM
SOLID FAITH
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your
heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” – Luke 21:28
An earthquake shook the Visayan region early 2012 and I experienced it.
With the ground trembling, my initial reaction was to run. But instantly, I
realized that running didn't guarantee my safety. Instead, I sat down and
prayed. I prayed for Him to give me peace and make me prepared to meet Him if
ever He was coming down for the second time at that very moment. After I
prayed, peace and joy engulfed me and the fear quickly vanished!
Typhoons, floods and earthquakes happen in many places. In the face of
apparently insuperable evil, Jesus promises in Matthew 28:20, “I am with you
always, to the end of the age.”
It is faith, not feelings, that matters. Real faith believes God to the
end. It is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen
(Hebrews 11:1). Let us continue to fight this good fight of faith and not be
swayed by what is happening in our midst. Remember that in His resurrection,
Jesus clearly conveyed that in God, nothing perishes! – Danny
Prayer:
You are my refuge, Lord. I put my
faith in You. Amen.
Wise Words:
“We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God.
Immediately we abandon to God, and do the duty that lies nearest, and He packs
our life with surprises all the time… leave that whole thing to Him, it is
gloriously uncertain how He will come in, but He will come.” Oswald Chambers
Source:
New
International Version (NIV)
Christian
Community Bible (CCB)
Living Water 2013
