Daniel the Faithful Listener

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

13Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” 14When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.

15Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”

16So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”  (Daniel 4)

Thoughts: In a place where faith in the true God is not respected, but ego is elevated- and especially government power- Daniel did not fail to listen to God.  Darius was tricked into setting a decree that no one could pray except to him for a time.  Daniel's enemies knew he would not elevate a king's decree above God's decree- so they caught him praying and had him arrested.
    But God saved Daniel for being faithful- even from the jaws of lions.  God saves us, even from the jaws of death itself.  Even in death we have life.  We should admire Daniel's faithful listening to God and seek to emulate him. 

Prayer: Lord, let me  be faithful to you, the Living God, though others threaten me.  

Secular Views of Generation to Generation

1King Nebuchadnezzar,

To the nations and peoples of every language, who live in all the earth:

May you prosper greatly!

2It is my pleasure to tell you about the miraculous signs and wonders that the Most High God has performed for me.

3How great are his signs,

how mighty his wonders!

His kingdom is an eternal kingdom;

his dominion endures from generation to generation. (Daniel 4) 

Thoughts: Nebuchadnezzar was the emperor who destroyed Jerusalem.  He had a dream, however, that allowed him to see God's power.  Daniel interpreted this dream of his humble demise and then restoration to power.

His praise of God is that God acts, he acts with an eternal kingship, and his dominion lasts for every generation.  

     The king who conquered many kingdoms recognizes God as the king forever.  His kingdom is not just for one time- but for all times.
       Because He reigns forever, He deserves our utmost loyalty and trust.  God is ever fresh- and does not go out of style.  The One who made us and will meet us at the end of our lives is always relevant.  He will be there at the end of our phones, devices, technologies, and lives.  They will break and be irrelevant.  God is never irrelevant.  Even this secular king recognized that God is to be listened to and is to be submitted to.  

Prayer: Help me to recognize you are the king of kings to all who are alive- young, old, every generation.