Monday, September 19, 2016

Monday, September 19th: Daniel 5-6 ~ Tammy

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is Daniel 5-6

Sorry, there was a mistake in the Reading Plan.  Today is supposed to be Daniel 5, 6, and 9 - but since 9 was covered yesterday, we'll just do 5-6 today.

In Chapter 5 we see Daniel being called upon to interpret prophecy, this time in the form of handwriting on the wall.  (Can you even imagine the panic you'd feel if you saw that during a party?!). The words were readable, but they didn't know what it meant.

Daniel turned down gifts that the King offered, showing that he was giving an unbiased interpretation and another example of his integrity.

It was interesting to note that Belshazzar offered him the 3rd highest position in the kingdom. Belshazzar co-ruled the kingdom with his father, Nabonidus.  Nabonidus was first ruler, and Belshazzar second, so Daniel was being offered a position eclipsed by only the kings.

Once again we also see Daniel giving all the glory for his ability to interpret prophecy to God. Daniel has bad news for Belshazzar - his days were numbered, he had not measured up, and his kingdom would be divided between the Medes and Persians.  God wasted no time in fulfilling this prophecy, as Belshazzar died that very night.

Chapter 6 is the famous story of Daniel in the lion's den.  It serves as another reminder that we need to be very careful with our vows.  The jealous administrators talked the king into invoking an unbreakable law by appealing to his vanity.  The King clearly hadn't thought it through as he would have (should have!) realized that Daniel would not pray to anyone other than the God he consistently gave glory and praise to.

Daniel's testimony was so great that the King knew Daniel's only hope was in the God he so faithfully served. And in this case, God displays His power most clearly and His name is glorified throughout the kingdom.

Are we humble and eager to give God the glory for all of our successes?
Are we swayed by offers of money and power, or do we maintain our integrity?
Do we obey God only when it's convenient to do so, or are we determined to be obedient no matter the cost, even when our life is on the line?
Is our reputation so godly that people know that the only way to accuse us is to base it on our faith?
Is our first response to appeal to God, in the face of the every day and in the face of danger or trial?

Daniel is one of the most godly examples in the Bible - so much so that he would not want the title, and would make sure any credit for his holiness went to God and God alone.  The only way we are able to live the way Daniel did, is through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit and the mediation of Jesus Christ to bring us into right relationship with God the Father.


Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage2 Chronicles 36:22-23, Ezra 1-2, Psalm 126, Psalm 147

2 comments:

Nathan said...

Daniel 6:24
24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

This next verse showes us how awesome a miracle God had done, the lions den was a dangerous place and for Daniel to be saved from the danger of it, was awesome!

Conrad said...

Daniel made time to get on his knees 3 times a day to pray to God. You made a great point Tammy that in order to be strong in our faith, we need to spend time with God, just like Daniel did.