Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living for Sunday, 25 June 2017  - WordAction - The Nazarene Publishing House [The Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouir, United States - the Global Church of the Nazarene - "Dare To Be Daniel" by Curtiss A. Hartley

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Dare To Be Daniel" by Curtiss A. Hartley for Sunday, 25 June 2017 - Daniel 6:1 (5:31) The kingdom passed to Daryavesh the Mede when he was about sixty-two years old. 2 (1) Daryavesh decided to set over the kingdom 120 viceroys to rule throughout the entire kingdom, 3 (2) with three chiefs over them, of whom Dani’el was one, so that these viceroys could be responsible to them and so that the king’s interests would be safeguarded. 4 (3) But because an extraordinary spirit was in this Dani’el, he so distinguished himself above the other chiefs and the viceroys that the king considered putting him in charge of the whole kingdom. 5 (4) The other chiefs and the viceroys tried to find a cause for complaint against Dani’el in regard to how he performed his governing duties, but they could find nothing to complain about, no fault; on the contrary, because he was so faithful, not a single instance of negligence or faulty administration could be found. 6 (5) Then these men said, “We’re not going to find any cause for complaint against this Dani’el unless we can find something against him in regard to the law of his god.” 7 (6) So these chiefs and viceroys descended on the king and said to him, “King Daryavesh, live forever! 8 (7) All the chiefs of the kingdom, along with the prefects, viceroys, advisers and governors, have met and agreed that the king should issue a decree putting in force the following law: ‘Whoever makes a request of any god or man during the next thirty days, except of you, your majesty, is to be thrown into the lion pit.’ 9 (8) Now, your majesty, issue this decree over your signature, so that it cannot be revoked, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable.” 10 (9) So King Daryavesh signed the document, and the decree became law. 11 (10) On learning that the document had been signed, Dani’el went home. The windows of his upstairs room were open in the direction of Yerushalayim; and there he kneeled down three times a day and prayed, giving thanks before his God, just as he had been doing before. 12 (11) Then these men descended on Dani’el and found him making requests and pleading before his God. 13 (12) So they went to remind the king of his royal decree: “Didn’t you sign a law prohibiting anyone from making requests of any god or man within thirty days, except yourself, your majesty, on pain of being thrown into the lion pit?” The king answered, “Yes, that is true, as required by the law of the Medes and Persians, which is itself irrevocable.” 14 (13) They replied to the king, “That Dani’el, one of the exiles from Y’hudah, respects neither you, your majesty, nor the decree you signed; instead, he continues praying three times a day.” ------- In Daniel 6 the prophet found himself in a tough spot. His faithfulness to God had caused him to catch the attention of King Darius. Though he was a slave, Daniel had risen to the second highest post in the land, second only to the King. Those around him, in jealousy, conspired to bring Daniel down. They went to the King and massaged his ego, convincing him to declare that for a 30-day period everyone in the land must pray only to the King. Anyone who prayed to another would be thrown to the hungry lions. It’s interesting to note Daniel’s character. Daniel shows no concern or panic when he learns of the King’s edict. Instead, he simply goes home and openly prays, “Just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10b). Daniel trusted God’s sovereignty, knowing that even if he were caught and convicted, God would be glorified. There was more to Daniel than outward show. No hypocrisy. Nothing fake. Only deep trust and obedience to God. Can we dare to be a Daniel as well? "Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone, Dare to have purpose firm! Dare to make it know" [Philip P. Bliss]. "I Would Be True" by Howard A. Walter 1. I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. 2. I would be friend of all--the foe, the friendless; I would be giving, and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.Thought for Today: Put your hope in Adonai, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in Adonai![Psalm 27:14]. Please pray: That many people in Ghana will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.

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