The response!!!
Good morning brothers and sisters. Yesterday's lesson was on why was Daniel thrown into the lion's den. Pride and jealousy. These two things are very powerful. Both are completely different than being humble and thankful. But today I would like to look at how Daniel responded and see if we respond in the same manner. Daniel 6:10-17. 10- Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, her went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open towards Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Daniel did not throw a fit. He did not scream and yell. He simply went to his prayer closet and prayed. He prayed to the one he knew that could handle this. Is that our response when something we know is not right? I have to confess, that has not always been my way. I have tried to fix it myself. And it is sad to say, most times I failed. But when I learned how to take it to the Lord. When I say take it, I mean everything. It may seem trivial to take to the Lord but nothing is too big or too small. He will guide you. But what was the response of the one's that were jealous? 11- Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12- And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king's decree: "Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, "The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter." Well, I hate to tell the king, it altered for Daniel. He was doing what he knew to be right. He knew what God had commanded. He was following God instead of man. See we follow the laws of the land EXCEPT when they go against God. Those we can not follow. But they had him. They went and acted like a bunch of babies instead of stepping up their game. Instead of seeing God's hand work in Daniel's life, they saw jealousy. But let's keep going. 13- So they answered and said before the king, "That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day." 14- And the king, when he heard, these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Now the king knows that these men tricked him. They tricked him into signing a stupid law and now it is going to cost him the one person that he could fully trust. See what pride and jealousy gets you. They are not from God. Greed also sets in when these two emotions are in place. The king was so distraught, he couldn't even fulfill his own law because he knew that it was not a just law. 15- Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, "Know O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed." They were reminding of his own law. They wanted Daniel, God's child, out of the way. 16- So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." The king knew that Daniel must have some mighty big faith to his God. He broke the law because it was against God and Daniel knew the consequences. Would you do the same? Do you do the same? Do we compromise? Well, I will do it for the sake of society but in my heart I will know the truth. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, won't work!! You will chose! 17- Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Repent, refresh, revive! RISE UP CHILDREN OF GOD, RISE UP!!!! We have so many examples to follow. Step into God's grace!