Wednesday, 5 November 2014
ARMOR OF GOD
Purpose of the Armor  There is warfare raging right now between the armies of God and the armies of Satan. Although that warfare takes place mostly in the supernatural realm, the natural realm is certainly affected. Spiritual battles can manifest in our daily lives through relational conflict, temptations to sin, persecution, financial pressures, illness, and even death. In these and other situations, our enemy would have us turn from God in fear or frustration instead of drawing near to God and waiting on Him. In such times, spiritual armor becomes critical to our survival. |
Tuesday, 14 October 2014
VICTORY IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST
It is, however, most important for us that we should see what it is that gives the Blood of Christ its mighty power with God on behalf of men, for then we shall understand the conditions on which its full power may be experienced in our lives.
Saturday, 11 October 2014
Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit - Visible Growth in Jesus Christ
"Fruit of the Spirit" is a biblical term that sums up the nine visible attributes of a true Christian life. Using the King James Version of Galatians 5:22-23, these attributes are: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. We learn from scripture that these are not individual "fruits" from which we pick and choose. Rather, the fruit of the Spirit is one ninefold "fruit" that characterizes all who truly walk in the Holy Spirit. Collectively, these are the fruits that all Christians should be producing in their new lives with Jesus Christ.
Fruit of the Spirit - The Nine Biblical Attributes
The fruit of the Spirit is a physical manifestation of a Christian's transformed life. In order to mature as believers, we should study and understand the attributes of the ninefold fruit:
Love - "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (1 John 4:16). Through Jesus Christ, our greatest goal is to do all things in love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
Joy - "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2).
Peace - "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
Longsuffering (patience) -- We are "strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness" (Colossians 1:11). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Gentleness (kindness) -- We should live "in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left" (2 Corinthians 6:6-7).
Goodness - "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power" (2 Thessalonians 1:11). "For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth" (Ephesians 5:9).
Faith (faithfulness) - "O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth" (Isaiah 25:1). "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" (Ephesians 3:16-17).
Meekness - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).
Temperance (self-control) - "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love" (2 Peter 1:5-7).
Thursday, 9 October 2014
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Good Samaritan?
The Parable of the Good Samaritan tells the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, and while on the way he is robbed of everything he had, including his clothing, and is beaten to within an inch of his life. That road was treacherously winding and was a favorite hideout of robbers and thieves. The next character Jesus introduces into His story is a priest. He spends no time describing the priest and only tells of how he showed no love or compassion for the man by failing to help him and passing on the other side of the road so as not to get involved.
Thursday, 2 October 2014
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree
Question: "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Fig Tree?"
Answer: Jesus told the Parable of the Fig Tree—Luke 13:6-9—immediately after reminding His listeners of a tower over the pool of Siloam (John 9:7) which unexpectedly fell and killed eighteen people. The moral of that story is found in Luke 13:3: “Unless you repent, you will likewise perish.” To reiterate this moral, Jesus tells the story of the fig tree, the vineyard owner, and the gardener who took care of the vineyard.
The three entities in the story all have clear symbolic significance. The vineyard owner represents God, the one who rightly expects to see fruit on His tree and who justly decides to destroy it when He finds none. The gardener, or vineyard keeper who cares for the trees, watering and fertilizing them to bring them to their peak of fruitfulness, represents Jesus, who feeds His people and gives them living water. The tree itself has two symbolic meanings: the nation of Israel and the individual.
As the story unfolds, we see the vineyard owner expressing his disappointment at the fruitless tree. He has looked for fruit for three years from this tree, but has found none. The three-year period is significant because for three years John the Baptist and Jesus had been preaching the message of repentance throughout Israel. But the fruits of repentance were not forthcoming. John the Baptist warned the people about the Messiah coming and told them to bring forth fruits fit for repentance because the ax was already laid at the root of the tree (Luke 3:8-9). But the Jews were offended by the idea they needed to repent, and they rejected their Messiah because He demanded repentance from them. After all, they had the revelation of God, the prophets, the Scriptures, the covenants, and the adoption (Romans 9:4-5). They had it all, but they were already apostate. They had departed from the true faith and the true and living God and created a system of works-righteousness that was an abomination to God. He, as the vineyard owner, was perfectly justified in tearing down the tree that had no fruit. The Lord’s ax was already poised over the root of the tree, and it was ready to fall.
However, we see the gardener pleading here for a little more time. There were a few months before the crucifixion, and more miracles to come, especially the incredible miracle of the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which would astound many and perhaps cause the Jews to repent. As it turned out, Israel as a nation still did not believe, but individuals certainly did (John 12:10-11). The compassionate gardener intercedes for more time to water and fertilize the fruitless tree, and the gracious Lord of the vineyard responds in patience.
The lesson for the individual is that borrowed time is not permanent. God's patience has a limit. In the parable, the vineyard owner grants another year of life to the tree. In the same way, God in His mercy grants us another day, another hour, another breath. Christ stands at the door of each man’s heart knocking and seeking to gain entrance and requiring repentance from sin. But if there is no fruit, no repentance, His patience will come to an end, and the fruitless, unrepentant individual will be cut down. We all live on borrowed time; judgment is near. That is why the prophet Isaiah wrote, "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).
Monday, 29 September 2014
Saturday, 27 September 2014
THE PRODIGAL SON
Question: "What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son?"
Answer: The Parable of the Prodigal Son is found in Luke chapter 15, verses 11-32. The main character in the parable, the forgiving father, whose character remains constant throughout the story, is a picture of God. In telling the story, Jesus identifies Himself with God in His loving attitude to the lost. The younger son symbolizes the lost (the tax collectors and sinners of that day, Luke 15:1), and the elder brother represents the self-righteous (the Pharisees and teachers of the law of that day, Luke 15:2). The major theme of this parable seems not to be so much the conversion of the sinner, as in the previous two parables of Luke 15, but rather the restoration of a believer into fellowship with the Father. In the first two parables, the owner went out to look for what was lost (Luke 15:1-10), whereas in this story the father waits and watches eagerly for his son's return. We see a progression through the three parables from the relationship of one in a hundred (Luke 15:1-7), to one in ten (Luke 15:8-10), to one in one (Luke 15:11-32), demonstrating God’s love for each individual and His personal attentiveness towards all humanity. We see in this story the graciousness of the father overshadowing the sinfulness of the son, as it is the memory of the father’s goodness that brings the prodigal son to repentance (Romans 2:4).
We will begin unfolding the meaning of this parable at verse 12, in which the younger son asks his father for his share of his estate, which would have been half of what his older brother would receive; in other words, 1/3 for the younger, 2/3 for the older (Deuteronomy 21:17). Though it was perfectly within his rights to ask, it was not a loving thing to do, as it implied that he wished his father dead. Instead of rebuking his son, the father patiently grants him his request. This is a picture of God letting a sinner go his own way (Deuteronomy 30:19). We all possess this foolish ambition to be independent, which is at the root of the sinner persisting in his sin (Genesis 3:6; Romans 1:28). A sinful state is a departure and distance from God (Romans 1:21). A sinful state is also a state of constant discontent. Luke 12:15 says, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” This son learned the hard way that covetousness leads to a life of dissatisfaction and disappointment. He also learned that the most valuable things in life are the things you cannot buy or replace.
In verse 13 we read that he travels to a distant country. It is evident from his previous actions that he had already made that journey in his heart, and the physical departure was a display of his willful disobedience to all the goodness his father had offered (Proverbs 27:19; Matthew 6:21; 12:34). In the process, he squanders all his father had worked so hard for on selfish, shallow fulfillment, losing everything. His financial disaster is followed by a natural disaster in the form of a famine, which he failed to plan for (Genesis 41:33-36). At this point he sells himself into physical slavery to a Gentile and finds himself feeding pigs, a detestable job to the Jewish people (Leviticus 11:7; Deuteronomy 14:8; Isaiah 65:4; 66:17). Needless to say, he must have been incredibly desperate at that point to willingly enter into such a loathsome position. And what an irony that his choices led him to a position in which he had no choice but to work, and for a stranger at that, doing the very things he refused to do for his father. To top it off, he apparently was paid so little that he longed to eat the pig’s food. Just when he must have thought life could not get any worse, he couldn’t even find mercy among the people. Apparently, once his wealth was gone, so were his friends. The text clearly says, “No one gave him anything” (vs. 16). Even these unclean animals seemed to be better off than he was at this point. This is a picture of the state of the lost sinner or a rebellious Christian who has returned to a life of slavery to sin (2 Peter 2:19-21). It is a picture of what sin really does in a person’s life when he rejects the Father’s will (Hebrews 12:1; Acts 8:23). “Sin always promises more than it gives, takes you further than you wanted to go, and leaves you worse off than you were before.” Sin promises freedom but brings slavery (John 6:23).
The son begins to reflect on his condition and realizes that even his father's servants had it better than he. His painful circumstances help him to see his father in a new light and bring him hope (Psalm 147:11; Isaiah 40:30-31; Romans 8:24-25; 1 Timothy 4:10). This is reflective of the sinner when he/she discovers the destitute condition of his life because of sin. It is a realization that, apart from God, there is no hope (Ephesians 2:12; 2 Timothy 2:25-26). This is when a repentant sinner “comes to his senses” and longs to return to the state of fellowship with God which was lost when Adam sinned (Genesis 3:8). The son devises a plan of action. Though at a quick glance it may seem that he may not be truly repentant, but rather motivated by his hunger, a more thorough study of the text gives new insights. He is willing to give up his rights as his father’s son and take on the position of his servant. We can only speculate on this point, but he may even have been willing to repay what he had lost (Luke 19:8; Leviticus 6:4-5). Regardless of the motivation, it demonstrates a true humility and true repentance, not based on what he said but on what he was willing to do and eventually acted upon (Acts 26:20). He realizes he had no right to claim a blessing upon return to his father’s household, nor does he have anything to offer, except a life of service, in repentance of his previous actions. With that, he is prepared to fall at his father’s feet and hope for forgiveness and mercy. This is exactly what conversion is all about: ending a life of slavery to sin through confession to the Father and faith in Jesus Christ and becoming a slave to righteousness, offering one’s body as a living sacrifice (1 John 1:9; Romans 6:6-18; 12:1).
Jesus portrays the father as waiting for his son, perhaps daily searching the distant road, hoping for his appearance. The father notices him while he was still a long way off. The father’s compassion assumes some knowledge of the son’s pitiful state, possibly from reports sent home. During that time it was not the custom of men to run, yet the father runs to greet his son (vs.20). Why would he break convention for this wayward child who had sinned against him? The obvious answer is because he loved him and was eager to show him that love and restore the relationship. When the father reaches his son, not only does he throw his arms around him, but he also greets him with a kiss of love (1 Peter 5:14). He is so filled with joy at his son’s return that he doesn’t even let him finish his confession. Nor does he question or lecture him; instead, he unconditionally forgives him and accepts him back into fellowship. The father running to his son, greeting him with a kiss and ordering the celebration is a picture of how our Heavenly Father feels towards sinners who repent. God greatly loves us, patiently waits for us to repent so he can show us His great mercy, because he does not want any to perish nor escape as though by the fire (Ephesians 2:1-10; 2 Peter 3:9; 1 Corinthians 3:15).
This prodigal son was satisfied to return home as a slave, but to his surprise and delight is restored back into the full privilege of being his father’s son. He had been transformed from a state of destitution to complete restoration. That is what God's grace does for a penitent sinner (Psalm 40:2; 103:4). Not only are we forgiven, but we receive a spirit of sonship as His children, heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, of His incomparable riches (Romans 8:16-17; Ephesians 1:18-19). The father then orders the servants to bring the best robe, no doubt one of his own (a sign of dignity and honor, proof of the prodigal’s acceptance back into the family), a ring for the son's hand (a sign of authority and sonship) and sandals for his feet (a sign of not being a servant, as servants did not wear shoes—or, for that matter, rings or expensive clothing, vs.22). All these things represent what we receive in Christ upon salvation: the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), the privilege of partaking of the Spirit of adoption (Ephesians 1:5), and feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace, prepared to walk in the ways of holiness (Ephesians 6:15). A fattened calf is prepared, and a party is held (notice that blood was shed = atonement for sin, Hebrews 9:22). Fatted calves in those times were saved for special occasions such as the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:26-32). This was not just any party; it was a rare and complete celebration. Had the boy been dealt with according to the Law, there would have been a funeral, not a celebration. “The Lord does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” (Psalm 103:10-13). Instead of condemnation, there is rejoicing for a son who had been dead but now is alive, who once was lost but now is found (Romans 8:1; John 5:24). Note the parallel between “dead” and “alive” and “lost” and “found”—terms that also apply to one’s state before and after conversion to Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5). This is a picture of what occurs in heaven over one repentant sinner (Luke 15: 7, 10).
Now to the final and tragic character in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the oldest son, who, once again, illustrates the Pharisees and the scribes. Outwardly they lived blameless lives, but inwardly their attitudes were abominable (Matthew 23:25-28). This was true of the older son who worked hard, obeyed his father, and brought no disgrace to his family or townspeople. It is obvious by his words and actions, upon his brothers return, that he is not showing love for his father or brother. One of the duties of the eldest son would have included reconciliation between the father and his son. He would have been the host at the feast to celebrate his brother’s return. Yet he remains in the field instead of in the house where he should have been. This act alone would have brought public disgrace upon the father. Still, the father, with great patience, goes to his angry and hurting son. He does not rebuke him as his actions and disrespectful address of his father warrant (vs.29, “Look,” he says, instead of addressing him as “father” or “my lord”), nor does his compassion cease as he listens to his complaints and criticisms. The boy appeals to his father's righteousness by proudly proclaiming his own self-righteousness in comparison to his brother’s sinfulness (Matthew 7:3-5). By saying, “This son of yours,” the older brother avoids acknowledging that the prodigal is his own brother (vs. 30). Just like the Pharisees, the older brother was defining sin by outward actions, not inward attitudes (Luke 18:9-14). In essence, the older brother is saying that he was the one worthy of the celebration, and his father had been ungrateful for all his work. Now the one who had squandered his wealth was getting what he, the older son, deserved. The father tenderly addresses his oldest as “my son” (vs. 31) and corrects the error in his thinking by referring to the prodigal son as “this brother of yours” (vs. 32). The father’s response, “We had to celebrate,” suggests that the elder brother should have joined in the celebration, as there seems to be a sense of urgency in not postponing the celebration of the brother’s return.
The older brother’s focus was on himself, and as a result there is no joy in his brother’s arrival home. He is so consumed with issues of justice and equity that he fails to see the value of his brother’s repentance and return. He fails to realize that “anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him” (1 John 2:9-11). The older brother allows anger to take root in his heart to the point that he is unable to show compassion towards his brother, and, for that matter he is unable to forgive the perceived sin of his father against him (Genesis 4:5-8). He prefers to nurse his anger rather than enjoy fellowship with his father, brother and the community. He chooses suffering and isolation over restoration and reconciliation (Matthew 5:24, 6:14-15). He sees his brother’s return as a threat to his own inheritance. After all, why should he have to share his portion with a brother who has squandered his? And why hadn’t his father rejoiced in his presence through his faithful years of service?
The wise father seeks to bring restoration by pointing out that all he has is and has always been available for the asking to his obedient son, as it was his portion of the inheritance since the time of the allotment. The older son never utilized the blessings at his disposal (Galatians 5:22; 2 Peter 1:5-8). This is similar to the Pharisees with their religion of good works. They hoped to earn blessings from God and in their obedience merit eternal life (Romans 9:31-33; 10:3). They failed to understand the grace of God and failed to comprehend the meaning of forgiveness. It was, therefore, not what they did that became a stumbling block to their growth but rather what they did not do which alienated them from God (Matthew 23:23-24, Romans 10:4). They were irate when Jesus was receiving and forgiving “unholy” people, failing to see their own need for a Savior. We do not know how this story ended for the oldest son, but we do know that the Pharisees continued to oppose Jesus and separate themselves from His followers. Despite the father’s pleading for them to “come in,” they refused and were the ones who instigated the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:59). A tragic ending to a story filled with such hope, mercy, joy, and forgiveness.
The picture of the father receiving the son back into relationship is a picture of how we should respond to repentant sinners as well (1 John 4:20-21; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20). “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We are included in that “all,” and we must remember that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” apart from Christ (Isaiah 64:6; John 15:1-6). It is only by God’s grace that we are saved, not by works that we may boast of (Ephesians 2:9; Romans 9:16; Psalm 51:5). That is the core message of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Friday, 26 September 2014
WAY TO HEAVEN THROUGH CHRIST
SALVATION
There is ONLY ONE way to heaven, ONLY ONE way to God – and that is through Jesus Christ. That is it. That is that. There are no loopholes, there are no other paths. There is ONE road and one road alone. Your salvation, your faith, your hope – all of it is in Jesus Christ. If you find that your faith is set in ANYTHING or ANYONE else, besides Christ Jesus, then you are in serious error and are on the path of eternal damnation. THAT IS ALL THERE IS TO IT! There is nothing else. It is quite simple. You are either in Christ and are set on the straight and narrow path which leads to Eternal Life – or you are Following a false belief or faith system and you are on the wide path that leads to Eternal Damnation. There IS NO in-between. It is one or the other.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)There should be no tolerance in the Christian community for those who want to claim that there is more than one way to God and to Heaven. That is ABSURD! Anyone who reads and adheres to scripture knows that is an insane statement. Jesus Christ HIMSELF tells you in His word that HE IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER! WITHOUT HIM YOU WILL NEVER ENTER HEAVEN and you WILL NEVER BE WITH GOD! It cannot be much clearer than that.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6)How much more blunt and to the point can it get ? How is there any room for compromise or tolerance in these verses ? It is apparently clear that Jesus Christ is the only means of Salvation. Apart from Him regenerating your wicked, evil and sinful heart – you are destined to an eternity of damnation in Hell having the just wrath of God poured out on you constantly. That is ALL you DESERVE and ALL you will RECIEVE apart from salvation in Christ and an intimate relationship with Him. Because ONLY Christ can atone for our sins, ONLY Christ can be the means for our salvation. No one and nothing else.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)
“For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)We need to stand up and be bold about this. Salvation is of the Lord – Salvation is found in Jesus Christ. Sitting in silence or stepping into the shadows out of embarrassment is not an option. If we do not stand up on this and define Salvation according to the word of God, then the Lost world, the Postmodernists, will stand up and define it for us. And obviously, if we look around, we can tell that they are not doing much of a job at it. Due to the lack of boldness in most of the Christian churches today, many people are either really confused or so lost and caught up in faulty doctrines and religions that it has infiltrated quite a bit of thinking in the evangelical community
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” (1 John 5:11-12)
But YOU MUST know and understand salvation before anything else. If you believe that you can be saved through any other means but regeneration through Christ Jesus, you are mistaken and on a very slippery and dangerous path. It may look like a path that is fun, but while it is sweet in your mouth at the time, it will turn to bitter and vile poison in your stomach later on. REPENT AND BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST!
Thursday, 25 September 2014
Saturday, 6 September 2014
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Monday, 1 September 2014
Thursday, 28 August 2014
Sunday, 24 August 2014
Friday, 22 August 2014
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Monday, 18 August 2014
Sunday, 17 August 2014
Thursday, 14 August 2014
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
MEANING FOR BIBLE VERSES AND PROMISES OF GOD - PART 3
CONTENTS
DANIEL 6 - Faithfulness Is Its
Own Reward
DANIEL CHAPTER 6
It pleased Darius, the Mede, to set over the kingdom a hundred
and twenty provincial governors to administer the whole
kingdom,
2 and over them three presidents, of whom Daniel was one, so
that to them the governors might be responsible, and that the king
would suffer no loss.
3 Above all the other presidents and governors Daniel
distinguished himself, because of his surpassing spirit, so superior
that the king was planning to set him over the whole kingdom.
4 Then the presidents and governors sought some ground of
complaint against Daniel in the discharge of his official duties;
but they could find no ground of complaint, because he was
faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.
5 So these men said, “We shall not find no ground of complaint
against this Daniel, unless we find it in connection with service to
his god.”
6 Whereupon these presidents and governors rushed in jointly
to the king, and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever!
7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the chiefs and the
governors, the counselors and the rulers have agreed that the king
should establish an ordinance and enforce a strict decree, that
whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O
king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, lay down the law, and sign it as a document,
which cannot be changed forever, according to the law of the
Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.”
9 Therefore King Darius signed such a document in keeping
with this decree.
10 When Daniel learned that such a decree had been officially
signed and issued, he went to his house on the roof of which there
were chambers with windows opening toward Jerusalem, and
three times a day he kneeled and prayed and gave God thanks as
he was accustomed to do.
11 Then these accusers came in throngs, and found Daniel
praying and making humble petition before his God.
12 So they approached the king and reminded him of his
decree. They said, “O king! Did you not sign a decree to the
effect that any man who prays to any god or man within thirty
days, except to you, O king, should be cast into the den of lions?”
The king replied, “The thing stands fast according to the law of
the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.”
13 Upon this they protested to the king, “That man Daniel, of
the exiles of Judah, neither heeds you, O king, nor regards the
decree which you have signed; for thrice a day he continues to
pray to his own god.”
14 When the king heard these words, he was greatly distressed
and set his mind to deliver Daniel. He struggled till sunset to
rescue him.
15 But these men together rushed to the king, and said, “Know,
O king, that a law of the Medes and Persians, in particular a
decree of royal authority, cannot be changed.
16 So the king gave the order and Daniel was brought and cast
into the den of lions, the king, voicing the hope, “May your God,
whom you worship so faithfully, deliver you.”
17 Then a great boulder was brought and laid upon the opening
of the den and the king sealed it with his own seal and also with
the seal of his rulers, to prevent any possible change of plan about
Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace, and spent the night in
meditation and fasting, instead of enjoying his usual diversions,
and his sleep fled from him.
19 In the morning, as soon as it was light, the king arose and
went in haste to the den of lions.
20 When he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried in
a tone of anguish and anxiety, “Daniel, servant of the living God,
has your God, whom you worship so regularly, been able to save
you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent His angel, and shut the lions’ mouths, and they
have not hurt me; because He found me innocent, not having done
you any injury.”
23 Then the king was exceeding glad, and ordered that Daniel
be lifted out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out, and no kind of
hurt was found on him, because he had trusted in his God
DANIEL CHAPTER 6
Faithfulness Is Its Own Reward
This chapter contains the fascinating story of Daniel in the
lions’ den. As you read it just as the Bible tells it, you will
agree that it is one of the best stories ever told.
Moreover, it contains a great lesson, for it is a story of fidelity,
honor and uprightness. It highlights the fact that these virtues are
rewarded in life, though perhaps not without suffering and
hardship.
King Darius, recognizing Daniel’s extraordinary ability and
trustworthiness, had made him head over the nation, directly
under the king himself. Naturally other leaders in the country
became jealous. These men tried in every way to “get” Daniel.
But no fault could be found in him, even though they went over
his record and actions with a fine-tooth comb.
Then cunning enemies figured out a plan to unseat Daniel.
Knowing that Daniel worshiped the eternal God, they tricked the
king into establishing a decree that any man who worshiped a god
other than the king himself for 30 days would be thrown into the
lions’ den.
Once the king made an edict, it was unchangeable according to
the law of the Medes and the Persians, and even the king could
not set it aside.
Daniel, of course, faithfully prayed to the Lord. His enemies
then made this fact known to the king, who was angry with
himself for being tricked. But there was no way out of the
dilemma, so he gave orders that Daniel be thrown into the den of
lions. But he believed, or at least hoped, that Daniel would
survive.
The king’s own faith had been growing because of Daniel’s
influence, and he fasted and prayed all night. In the early morning
he went to the lions’ den and, to his joy, Daniel’s God had
indeed preserved His faithful servant.
The king realized that Daniel’s God rewards honor, goodness
and fidelity, and so he proceeded to decree that Daniel’s God be
the God of his kingdom.
This story is a direct refutation of the cynical notions that “you
never get anywhere trying to be good,” that “honesty doesn’t pay”
and that “it’s only the clever who get theirs.”
In fact, the story of Daniel is actually a series of affirmations:
First, in life, honorable and faithful though we may be, there will
come times of great testing. Second, there will be misunderstanding,
hostility, even enmity. But finally, if we are loyal and true to
God, He will see us through no matter what. That is the great
truth: even in our “den of lions,” if we keep the faith, we shall be
saved and life will be good.
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