Daniel – Page 3 – Be Still…

Daniel 6:19-28 – Happy Endings

Read Daniel 6:19-28

Daniel trusted God with his life. God showed up and closed the mouths of the lions. Those lions had to be hungry because our passage tells us, in descriptive fashion, how the people thrown in the den right after Daniel were devoured. Isn’t our God amazing?

We’re told the king went to the lion’s den “very early” the next morning to check on Daniel. We were told in our last reading that the king couldn’t sleep and spent the night fasting. Clearly, he was distraught with having to place his asset, Daniel, in harm’s way. Continue reading “Daniel 6:19-28 – Happy Endings”

Daniel 6:1-18 – Daniel Meets the Lions

Read Daniel 6:1-18

If you’re like me, when you think of the prophet Daniel you can’t help but think of lions. It’s a story we’ve been hearing since we were kids in Sunday School (if you were blessed like me to have that background). We can only imagine what Daniel’s encounter was like with the lions after being sealed into their den. Daniel’s example for us never gets old.

However, the first half of the story sets up the situation Daniel found himself in. Maybe you can relate? Have you ever made someone else jealous? Maybe it was your cute shoes, or your athletic ability, or being the teacher’s pet for your good grades. Jealousy, when it’s out of control, can lead people to do some pretty hurtful things. Continue reading “Daniel 6:1-18 – Daniel Meets the Lions”

Daniel 5:13-31 – Surprise Ending

Read Daniel 5:13-31

God’s “graffiti” had a somber meaning for King Belshazzar. Despite the message, and Daniel’s own request, the king bestowed the gifts of honor to Daniel for deciphering the message. Who knew that the “numbered days” of the king’s reign would run out so soon!

King Belshazzar was not given the opportunity to correct his ways. He had angered God past the point of return. God’s sovereign power is again revealed to individuals outside the land of Israel. This pagan king, however, did not find favor with God as his predecessor had. Continue reading “Daniel 5:13-31 – Surprise Ending”

Daniel 5:1-12 – Writing on the Wall

Read Daniel 5:1-12

We’ve all heard the idiom, “the writing is on the wall.” I couldn’t help but think about that when I read this passage. According to Merriam-Webster, the idiom is “used to say that it is clear that something bad will probably happen soon.” I wonder if that’s the underlying message here?

Can you imagine actually watching a human hand appear and start writing a message on your wall? Creepy. Really creepy. It’s not surprising that the king and his noble dinner guests were afraid. Some may have wondered what was in the wine to cause such a hallucination? But it was real. Continue reading “Daniel 5:1-12 – Writing on the Wall”

Daniel 4:28-37 – God’s Sovereignty

Read Daniel 4:28-37

Within a year, King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream became reality. Some dreams do come true! What sounded fantastical actually happened by God’s power and might. We should never question God’s intentions or who he uses to accomplish his purposes. Certainly, it would not have been our choice to give a pagan king such a wise lesson.

Let’s focus on what the fulfillment of the king’s dream reveals about God’s sovereignty. God controls everything and can make the impossible happen. God seriously wants our obedience and worship. God’s timing is always perfect. Continue reading “Daniel 4:28-37 – God’s Sovereignty”