"But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God." (Daniel 6:10)
Daniel was one of the Hebrews that had been carried into captivity and exile. But God had granted him favor before King Darius, the Mede. Some of the other leaders in Darius court were jealous of Daniel and concocted a scheme to destroy him. They had convinced the king to pass a law that would require people pray only to King Darius, and to violate this would mean being thrown into a den of hungry lions.
Notice in this verse that Daniel did not start something new when the law was passed. He continued in his habit of praying three times a day. Also notice, that even though he was facing a dilemma in his life, his prayers included thanksgiving.
I wonder how many times we pray, "God transform me into Christlikeness, or produce in me the fruit of Your Spirit." Then when God begins to answer our prayers, instead of being thankful, we begin to whine and complain. Often God uses trials, tests of our faith, to stretch us and grow us into the person He desires that we be.
God was with Daniel in the lion's den. He delivered him out of the lions den. But, in Heb. 11 we read of others that were not so fortunate. Can you praise God in a den of hungry lions? Can you praise God if He does not deliver you out of the trouble, but uses it to bring Him glory?
God is working on your character. He may provide for your comfort, but that is not His primary concern. He is far more concerned that we become "Holy" than He is that we remain "Happy" all the time. What is your prayer today?
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Be Watchful
"Be careful! Watch out for attacks form the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." (I Peter 5:8, NLT)
If you have ever heard the roaring lion, it is a very intimidating sound. And he lags around the perimeter looking for a straggler, someone in weakened condition. And that is the image of satan.
He absolutely hates God, but he cannot get to God so he attacks God's people. Thus the warning. "Be careful, watch out for."
Often I will hear someone say, "Satan's greatest weapon is..." and they supply their answer. I suspect he employs whatever weapon is appropriate for the circumstance someone is most readily susceptible to at the moment. Sometimes that is discouragement, other times it is distraction, or criticism, or one of his vast arsenal.
If, however, relationships are at the top of God's list of priorities, and they are, it seems satan would often seek to destroy those. We are told in the scripture that the most important commandment is loving God and that the second is about loving others. So it makes sense satan is going to do all he can to destroy our relationships with God and with fellow believers. That is why a passage like Matt. 18 is so important. We must diligently work to restore broken relationships. Jesus told us to love each other as much as He loved us, and He gave His life on a cross for us. That is awesome love. I want to encourage you today to repair all relationships.
If you have ever heard the roaring lion, it is a very intimidating sound. And he lags around the perimeter looking for a straggler, someone in weakened condition. And that is the image of satan.
He absolutely hates God, but he cannot get to God so he attacks God's people. Thus the warning. "Be careful, watch out for."
Often I will hear someone say, "Satan's greatest weapon is..." and they supply their answer. I suspect he employs whatever weapon is appropriate for the circumstance someone is most readily susceptible to at the moment. Sometimes that is discouragement, other times it is distraction, or criticism, or one of his vast arsenal.
If, however, relationships are at the top of God's list of priorities, and they are, it seems satan would often seek to destroy those. We are told in the scripture that the most important commandment is loving God and that the second is about loving others. So it makes sense satan is going to do all he can to destroy our relationships with God and with fellow believers. That is why a passage like Matt. 18 is so important. We must diligently work to restore broken relationships. Jesus told us to love each other as much as He loved us, and He gave His life on a cross for us. That is awesome love. I want to encourage you today to repair all relationships.
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