Tag: faith

Who’s Really in Charge? (Daniel 6:19-28)

Over the last couple of weeks I have written a series of posts on the events of Daniel 6, which is one of the more famous sections of the Old Testament. In the account, we read of the faithful man Daniel being thrown into a den of lions. We looked at how Daniel’s life of exceptional standards led to the jealousy of others, and how they lured the king into making a law they knew Daniel would break. Indeed, the king ordered that no one could pray to God or man except to the king himself, and if they did, the den of lions beckoned. Daniel was not a man to compromise his faith, and as he always did, he prayed to his God.

The king is devastated when he realises that Daniel is caught. We speculated whether this was genuine concern for Daniel, or concern for the king’s own interests given the impeccable competence of Daniel’s leadership. Having put Daniel into the den, the king spends a sleepless night worrying whether he will lose his most effective official.

Before we read the next section though, let me pose you a question. Who’s really in charge here? At first, we might think it is the king. He is the king after all, and yet seems rather easily manipulated by the officials. Perhaps it is Daniel, the man rising to the top once again. Yet, he ends up in the den of lions. Could it be the jealous officials themselves? They dislike Daniel and succeed in trapping him. As we will find out shortly however, things do not end well for them. As you read the remaining part of Daniel 6, and reflect back over my posts in this chapter, ask yourself who is pulling the strings here?

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”

21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because as before him innocence was found in me; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”

23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

24 The king commanded, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions mauled them, and broke all their bones in pieces, before they came to the bottom of the den.

Daniel 6:19-24 WEB

As early in the morning as he can, the king rushes to the den to find out what has happened. For the first time in Daniel 6, we hear Daniel speak. He reassures the king that God has indeed rescued him, and has done so by sending an angel to shut the mouths of the lions.

Daniel survived, the king is thrilled, and in retaliation for their actions, the king has the jealous officials thrown in the den instead. Not just the men themselves however, but their families too. The Bible records that they were torn apart and their bones broken, before even hitting the bottom of the den. What a gruesome end!

What do we learn from this account? I have heard some use verse 23 as a summary.

23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel 6:23 WEB

The theology goes something like this; Daniel trusted in God and was saved. If we too trust in God, we also shall be saved.

The moral of this story however is not that. If you read Daniel 6 and say to yourself, I just need to trust in God and He will protect me from all harm and suffering, then you are heading for disappointment.

This account does show us that God is able to save, and is mighty and powerful indeed. It tells us that God can and does intervene in our lives in miraculous ways. For this, we should be truly grateful.

In a general sense, we could infer that to trust God means everything will be ok. To clarify, if we place our trust in Christ, then He will indeed save us and ultimately all things will be made right in heaven. However, we come into error when we think that by trusting God everything in this life will work out just fine.

Look at Stephen, the first martyr, for example. He trusted God. He followed God’s instruction. He served the Lord faithfully. Yet, he was stoned to death. Why didn’t it work for him? And, if it did not work for Stephen, why should we think it will work for us?

We cannot liberally take Bible passages in isolation, and draw out wrong conclusions from them. In this case, Daniel was saved. In Stephen’s case, he was not.

So what is really going on here? I think the answer lies in the closing verses of this chapter. And it relates to the question I asked you earlier – who is really in charge?

25 Then king Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages, who dwell in all the earth:

“Peace be multiplied to you.

26 “I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel;

“for he is the living God,

    and steadfast forever.

His kingdom is that which will not be destroyed.

    His dominion will be even to the end.

27 He delivers and rescues.

    He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth,

    who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 5:25-28 WEB

In response to all of these events, King Darius writes to all the peoples and nations in the world. In his letter, he tells them that they are to fear and worship the God of Daniel. Notice he does not claim Daniel’s God – our God – for himself, and still refers to Him as “Daniel’s God”. We each must claim a relationship with God for ourselves. It is no good to say that we follow the God of our parents, our friends or even our church. We must have our own relationship with Jesus.

Look at what the king writes! It is astonishing to hear such words from the Persian King.

He points out that God is living, and this in stark contrast to the many idols of wood or stone throughout the world at this time. He states that God is steadfast forever, and will not be moved. Darius claims that God’s kingdom will never be destroyed, and that is quite a statement from a king who undoubtedly wants his own kingdom to be perpetuated. Darius tells the world that our God rescues and saves (something we too should be doing), and that He is the God of signs and wonders.

So who is really in charge? God is – our God, Daniel’s God, the very same. The events of Daniel 6 and the trial that Daniel faced at the mouths of hungry lions was all about His glory. Daniel was rescued so that a Persian King might proclaim the goodness of God throughout the earth.

We can and should trust God, and we can and should ask the Lord to keep us safe and to rescue us from our troubles. If He does, then we worship Him. Yet, if He does not, then we praise Him in and through those time of trial. Our goal should not be our own comfort, but to glorify the Living God!

The thought of trouble and trial does not excite me, nor does it you I imagine! I pray for a peaceful life, yet I pray for a life of obedience more so. If a few brief earthly troubles leads to the God Heaven being glorified, then so be it.

I hope you have enjoyed this series on Daniel, and I hope it has challenged you to live differently. May you be excellent in all you do, fully committed to your faith in Christ, and will to endure any trials so that your God might be glorified.

Who is really in charge? The maker of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praise be unto Him in all the earth! Amen!

Why Does God Allow Suffering? – Andy Brown

We take a little break from the book of Acts to consider this question today. Many individuals over the centuries have tried to answer this one, and the vast majority were cleverer than I am! I offer a few thoughts here which I hope you find helpful. The argument often goes something like this. If…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2020/06/29/why-does-god-allow-suffering/

Why water into wine? – Andy Brown

Sharing a video post from last year with you today. Hope you enjoy!

Do follow my Facebook page while you are there

It was my pleasure to stand in for our local vicar at short notice this week. In this video, I share a few thoughts about why I think Jesus turned water into wine from John 2. For some technical reason I do not understand, I was not able to upload the video directly to this…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2021/01/24/why-water-into-wine/

We Are Not Orphans – Revisited and Updated

It is all about Jesus! If you agree, then I’m quite certain you will be touched by this beautiful post from Bruce Cooper. Enjoy

John 14:18 NASB “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” How is it that one can come to love Jesus when we’ve never met him? How do you…

We Are Not Orphans – Revisited and Updated

Daniel in the Den (Daniel 6:16-18)

We have been studying our way through the sixth chapter of Daniel in a short series of posts.

In the first one – An Excellent Man – we thought about how Daniel conducted himself, and what lessons there are for us in our modern world. In part two – No Compromise – we saw another aspect of Daniel’s excellence, in that he absolutely refused to compromise his faith irrespective of the consequences. He was prepared to die in the Lion’s Den rather than deny his God. In our third instalment – No Way Out – we see that King Darius is tied up in his own words, and finds no escape.

Seeing no way out, King Darius is forced to have Daniel arrested.

Then the king gave a command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you constantly serve, rescue you Himself!” 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no music or entertainment was brought before him, and he remained unable to sleep.

Daniel 6:16-18 Amp

Verse 16 is somewhat matter of fact. It simply says the king commanded, Daniel is arrest and then thrown into the den. I think it is interesting that we have yet to hear Daniel utter a single word. Even now, as he is taken by force, the Bible does not record him protesting or arguing or begging at all. Now I am not saying Daniel remained silent throughout the whole affair, simply that the Bible does not record him saying anything. Is that relevant? Is there some hidden gem here? Perhaps, or perhaps not. One point I do draw out is that we have not the merest hint of Daniel speaking foolish or idle words, and this is in stark contrast to King Darius who regretted his commands.

The king says to Daniel, “May your God, whom you constantly serve, rescue you Himself!” I emphasise the words “your” and “constantly.”

The king recognises that this God is Daniel’s God. Darius sees that there is a personal relationship between Daniel and his God. This will be important later on when we close out the chapter – so keep it in mind.

I also note that Daniel did not just serve God, but constantly served Him. It implies that Daniel has no apparent lapses or displays half-hearted worship. Instead, Daniel is steady and unshakeable in his walk with God. Indeed, that very commitment is what has landed him in the den of lions. We noted from verse 10 of this chapter that when Daniel hears that the law forbidding prayer to anyone but King Darius has been signed, he goes straight home and prays – three times a day – just as he always had. Daniel is steadfast in prayer, and everyone knew it. What a lesson for us! Are we so dedicated? Are we so unshakeably steady? Do people look at us in church on a Sunday and wonder if we’ll still be following Christ in a week’s time? I pray not!

So, Daniel is lowered into the pit, and as I said above, no mention is made of him having said a word. Yet this passage is not dissimilar to another situation we find earlier on in the book of Daniel. Earlier on in Daniel 3, we read the account of his three friends and they are commanded to worship an idol in the form of a giant golden statue. They refuse. Like Daniel, they now faced death – not from lions, but from a raging furnace turned up seven times hotter than normal. As they are arrested and thrown in, they tell the king of the day (Nebuchadnezzar) “Our God is able to rescue us, and even if He does not, we will still not bow down and worship this idol.”

Daniel was seemingly not present at the fiery furnace, or at least no mention is made of him. I wonder if he was familiar with the account though, and if he knew the words that his friends had spoken. If so, perhaps he would have been saying to the king, “My God is able to rescue me from the mouths of these hungry lions, but even if he does not, I will not pray to you Darius.”

Whatever you are going through right now, you can take these words as your own. “Jesus is well able to rescue me from this [death, illness, job loss, persecution, insert your own situation here] but even if He does not, I will still follow Him with all my heart.”

A stone is placed over the mouth of the den, and it is sealed with the king’s seal so that no one can interfere. This should remind us of another den/tomb, sealed with another stone, which was also sealed/guarded so that no one could interfere…. And look how that turned out!

So Darius returned to his palace, refuses food and entertainment, and spends the entire night worrying about Daniel. Daniel meanwhile, is in the den, and we know not what is happening to him. As I close this post, I wonder who of the two had the better night’s sleep? The king, by worrying, could not change the outcome. Neither could Daniel. Perhaps as he rested and trusted in his God, Daniel was able to curl up and sleep right next to the lions.

You know doubt know how the story ends, and if not, we will find out next time. The important question for me is why? And what, if anything, is the lesson for us as the church? I will try to draw this out next time, and bring this series to an end. If you have enjoyed it, do share with someone else. And as ever, thanks for reading.

Practice Forgiveness (PoW)

Pearls of Wisdom

Marriage is about two imperfect people becoming well practiced at forgiveness

I heard a quote of this kind a while ago, but unfortunately don’t know the original author. My version above is a paraphrase, and I am certain you get the idea!

When married, a couple will inevitably let each other down. It is rarely deliberate, and few want to cause distress or harm. Sometimes needs or wants on one side are misunderstood by the other, and not met, and other times those needs are clearly communicated and yet go unfulfilled. Mistakes are made in tiredness, anger or grief, and sometimes words are spoken which are not intended. I am perhaps no great student of people, yet I have never seen a marriage where this isn’t so. Marriages are hard work and yet absolutely worth the effort.

What is true of marriage is probably also true of all relationships, to a greater or lesser degree.

No matter our differences, there is one thing that is true of us all – not one of us is perfect. Each of us is born a sinner, live in a broken world and often think of ourselves more than we ought. It is rather a miracle that any marriage or relationship works out at all!

People stay together when they forgive one another time and time again. When we stop forgiving, resentment can build and ultimately destroy the relationship.

There are, of course, times when a relationship comes to an end. This is sad, and we can reduce the chance of it happening by willingly and freely forgiving each other for our shortfalls. (Of course, if there are serious issues such as abuse, then forgiveness is no magic wand to wave and repair all the hurt overnight. In such case, more help is required)

How good are you at forgiving your spouse, friend or family member? How often have they had to forgive you in the past? Practise makes perfect, so they say, and as long as you have people in your life, you will have plenty of opportunity to forgive.

Forgiving is not easy, no matter how often we do it. It does not undo hurt or pain, and it does not make bad things good. It is a choice. If, like me, you find it hard to forgive at times, then ask the Lord to help you and remember how wide and deep His forgiveness is for you.

S05E001, I’m Fine! Endurance

These young men will go far! and I cannot wait for the next episode!

Watch the video, Listen to the Audio, Read the transcript or Download the Video- below! On this, the first episode of Season 5, we talk about how we …

S05E001, I’m Fine! Endurance

Comfort Is No Indicator (PoW) – Andy Brown

Pearls of Wisdom When we step out in faith, perhaps for a new ministry venture or simply to share the Gospel with a friend, and it does not go according to plan… it can be all too easy to think that we completely missed God’s will. Maybe you have experienced this yourself at times. You…
— Read on andy-brown.org/2021/05/11/comfort-is-no-indicator-pow/

The Witness

Another great post from Alan at devotional treasures. I’m sure many of you will be familiar with Allens writing, but if not, go take a look!

Loch Droma on the way to Ullapool, with An Teallach in the background. Photography courtesy of Ben Bremner,  https://www.facebook.com/ben.bremner3 …

The Witness

Stand on His word – 7-15-22

Some wonderful Scriptures to meditate on this Saturday morning. If you get a time of quiet this morning, do you spend some time praying over them.

The Lord is your strength. He will deliver you in times of trouble. That thought went across my mind this morning. Sometimes God speaks to us that …

Stand on His word – 7-15-22

Listening carefully

Today, by way of a change, I share a very brief audio message about listening to God. Hope you enjoy!

No Compromise (Daniel 6:6-10)

In my last post entitled – An Excellent Man – we started looking at Daniel chapter 6. We learned that the King Darius had divided the empire into 120 regions headed up by governors (or satraps), and over them were three commissioners. Daniel was one of these three, but was so successful he was on course to be promoted above them all. Burning with jealousy, the others tried to find a way to accuse Daniel but found nothing. He was exemplary and a man of integrity. One of Daniel’s strengths was his faith and dedication to God, so they attempt to use that to trap him.

6 Then these commissioners and satraps agreed to approach the king and said to him, “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors have consulted and agreed together that the king should establish a royal statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who petitions (prays to) any god or man besides you, O king, during the next thirty days, shall be thrown into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which [insures that it] may not be altered or revoked.” 9 So King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he went into his house (now in his roof chamber his windows were open toward Jerusalem); he continued to get down on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

Daniel 6:6-10 (AMP)

The governors and commissioners go to the king and encourage him to enact a new law. “Wouldn’t it be a great idea O King, if no one prayed to any God or man except for you!” King Darius agrees this would be a splendid idea – not his most humble moment. What is driving him here? He’s been flattered by the governors, and the idea that he could wield ultimate power by being the only one people can pray to is appealing to his ego.

Last time, we noted that the jealousy of the officials was driven by selfishness, and them not wanting to look bad next to the excellent Daniel. Here, the king indulges in his own form of selfishness, imagining himself as a god before the people. With a wave of his hand, he can grant or deny their requests, and he bestows on himself the power to be above god, idol or man.

So, he signs the law…

What does Daniel do? It is now forbidden for him to pray to his God – the One True God.

Daniel returns home, opens the windows wide, and prays to God three times a day, just as he always did. Let me ask you, if you were in his shoes, would you have done the same thing?

I have asked myself this question more than once. It is very difficult to know exactly what me might do when it comes down to it. I hope I would indeed pray to God as before, but I’d perhaps keep the windows shut! How about you? Ask yourself. Be honest.

We live in a world which is growing increasingly hostile to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you live in the West (like me) then you have enjoyed relative religious freedom for probably all of your life. While we may be mocked for our faith, we are usually in little danger of losing our life for it. That is not so in many parts of the world. In some nations, such as Nigeria, many believers are being martyred simply for believing in Jesus. They face a daily choice of discipleship or death. It is hard for us to imagine such a thing.

Daniel faced that very same choice. Would he compromise his faith or would he break the Law? He chose to break the Law and absolutely refuses to compromise what he believes.

We must do likewise. We should absolutely follow the laws of the land, living quiet and peaceful lives. Refusing to compromise our faith does not give us the right to break whatever law we choose, or to start violent protests. Where we have the luxury, we should use the democratic process to make our views – Christian views – known and upheld. If we are forbidden to worship God or to pray to Him, even if it costs us our lives, then we must follow Christ. We do not seek death of course, nor trouble or trial, but if in the course of following Jesus we lose our earthly life, then we will be fully compensated in the life that is to come.

Easier said than done though I suspect!

I am reminded of the disciples from Acts:

So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”

Acts 4:18-20 (NKJV)

Even if your life is never threatened for reason of your faith, please do remember those who are. Pray for your Christian brothers and sisters who face death daily in order to meet with fellow believers or to just hold a Bible.

This is not an easy post to write or live out, so do take the time to ponder both this passage and your response to it. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith for times of need. And thank God for the religious freedom many of us do enjoy.