Daniel 6 - Daniel in the lion's den

I thought I would share some thoughts on Daniel 6 which records the miraculous story of Daniel in the lion's den.  Daniel was an exceptional character and he served an exceptional God!  Daniel was successful; he was envied; and he was targeted by his enemies.

Most of us know the story from Sunday school.  If you haven't read the story, take a few minutes this week and read Daniel 6.  Daniel was successful for three reasons: 1) he chose character over comfort (1:8), 2) he chose discipline over disorder (6:10), and 3) he chose love of God over love of life (6:10, 13).  But, his success and his love for God eventually got him thrown into the lion's den.  This trial in Daniel's life has a happy ending, because God sent an angel to close the mouths of the lions.

I believe in miracles and I hope you do too.  So, It's not difficult for me to believe that the God of the universe could close the mouths of lions or protect Daniel's friends in the fire.  What is of interest to me is Daniel's situation in Babylon.  Here's what I mean . . . .

Daniel, along with his friends, came to Babylon as an exile; a slave.  He was chosen to serve in the king's court and received special training.  The city and the culture was foreign and alien to Daniel's beliefs, values, and religious practices.  Jerusalem was only a memory and the Temple was long gone.  And yet, here's Daniel serving with success and continuing to believe and live for his God in a city and a culture which does not support his beliefs or behaviors.

In America today, I hear numerous Christians bemoaning the fact that America has changed and is no longer a Christian nation. As Christians, we tend to bemoan prayer-less schools and yet we live in prayer-less homes.  We bemoan the lack of morals in our society and yet, statistics demonstrate that Christians get divorced as commonly as non-believers.   Daniel's story is a reminder to believers today that it is possible to faithfully live for God in adverse situations.  God never promised us a "rose garden" or easy situations, but He did promise to be faithful to us as we faithfully walk with Him.

Daniel's story reminds me of God's faithfulness and challenges me to live for God in difficult situations.  Go for it . . . you can do it!  See you Sunday!  Pastor Tom

The Greatest lesson learned

In Daniel 4:27, Daniel gave some good advice to king Nebuchadnezzar.  The New Living Translation reads like this, "'King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor.  Perhaps then you will continue to prosper."  

Daniel chapter 4 is a great reminder of the greatest lesson in the Bible - God rules in human history and in our lives today.  The main message of Christianity is just that--that God rules and his heavenly kingdom has come to earth in His Son, Christ Jesus (Matthew 3:2; 4:17).

And yet, we often resist God's heavenly rule in our daily lives (Romans 3:23).  In fact, the pathway of human history is paved with kings, kingdoms, and ordinary people like you and me who have turned away from God's paths, purposes, or promises to live as they please.  Sadly, this other way leads humanity into darkness and destruction.  Our prized human independence without God's shining light leads us nowhere.  The Bible calls this sin, not to condemn us, but to point us to a better way!

The real message of Christianity is not simply that God is sovereign in his rule over creation and human history; it is the message that in Christ Jesus we can invite God's heavenly kingdom into our hearts and live for the advancement of that kingdom.  This is why Jesus taught us to pray, ""'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven . . . " (Matthew 6:9-13)

What we often fail to understand is that living for the glory of God's kingdom is at first sacrifice and self-denial, but in the end abundance, joy, and victory!  That's why the same advice which Daniel gave the king in Daniel 4:27, Jesus gave to us as he launched his public ministry more than 2,000 years ago, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." (Matthew 4:17)

I remember the story of the Chinese musician who just couldn't "face the music".  It goes something like this - "Many years ago a man conned his way into the orchestra of the emperor of China although he could not play a note. Whenever the group practiced or performed, he would hold his flute against his lips, pretending to play but not making a sound. He received a modest salary and enjoyed a comfortable living Then one day the emperor requested a solo from each musician. The flutist got nervous. There wasn’t enough time to learn the instrument. He pretended to be sick, but the royal physician wasn’t fooled. On the day of his performance, the impostor took poison and killed himself. The explanation of his suicide led to a phrase that found its way into the English language: “He refused to face the music”. (As cited by Max Lucado’s Just Like Jesus. Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998, pp. 110-11, from the following source: Paul Lee Tan. The Encyclopedia Of 7700 Illustrations. Rockville, Md.: Assurance Publishers, 1979, pp. 562-63). 

I know that is a somewhat dismal story, but I share it because I'm convinced that we will destroy our very lives if we refuse to "face the music".  God has a heavenly kingdom which rules in the world today.  He can rule in your heart and mine, only when we repent and turn from our destructive ways to walk in his light and life.  I hope you will.  Let today be the day you choose to humbly invite Jesus Christ into your life and live for His kingdom rather than your own. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Have a great week.  Pastor Tom