His enemies may have attributed the preservation of Daniel to a supposition that at this time the lions do not happen to be hungry, rather than admire the faith of Daniel in his God or the power of his God to effect a miracle.
Read MoreTo honor and obey the God of heaven is never disrespectful of people. It is our archenemy who labors diligently (for he never takes a day off) to make obedience to God appear as evil or lacking in thoughtfulness toward people. But living for God is an example for anyone who may be watching, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey.
Read MoreDaniel knew that he was safer in the den of lions with God’s protection than in the royal court of the Medes and the Persians without it. Even the threat of death could not dislodge his loyalty to the LORD.
Read MoreDaniel, his most honored and faithful statesman, had been specifically targeted, and the king’s own signature set the sinister plan into place. The knowledge of his role in the whole scheme distressed him beyond description.
Read MoreOnce the trap was set, the conspirators made sure to be outside of Daniel’s home to gather the “damning evidence” of his prayers before God. Three times Daniel prayed the next day, just as before, well aware that there were spies below his window!
Read MoreDaniel’s blameless conduct awakened a sense of resentment and jealousy in his peers. Inspired by the enemy of souls, they contrived a plan that would make Daniel appear to disrespect and dishonor the king.
Read MoreA time of testing is on the way for Daniel in chapter six, brought about by his adversaries. It foreshadows a testing period that is to come upon the world. Prepare now by walking uprightly with the Lord.
Read MoreThe Old Testament prophets were mightily used by God to help prepare His end-time people for the culmination of fallen earth’s history, hence the numerous references to Babylon.
Read MoreThe capital city of Babylon straddled the Great River. During the riotous party given by Belshazzar, the army of Cyrus stepped easily under the city walls. Unbelievably, the iron gates were open and unguarded (perhaps the guards were hanging around the party).
Read MoreSuch divisions harm the body of Christ. It is a topic that is hotly debated by some and totally ignored by others. The Holy Spirit spoke through Isaiah, calling every follower of God to travel the path of an active role of restoration of God’s truth among His people.
Read MoreNo one is more interested in the development of our character than the LORD. Each of us has an opportunity now to build character, starting with the solid foundation of the word of God. The choice to believe Him sets one upon the right path.
Read MoreEvery opportunity that had been given Belshazzar to know and obey the true God of the Universe had been squandered. And now the consequence of Belshazzar’s rebellion was upon him.
Read MoreThese words succinctly highlight the fundamental problem that people will face in the final judgment of God. Their refusal to humbly acknowledge known truths and act accordingly is tantamount to rebellion. Such a leaning, if not corrected, progresses into an overall attitude of self-exaltation, the most common form of idolatry.
Read MoreIn vain, Belshazzar had tried to make sense of the glowing handwriting on the palace wall. But here was a secret and a power that he could not understand. Neither could he guess.
Read MoreIn the years since Nebuchadnezzar’s death, Daniel must have had many seasons of discouragement, as Babylonian ways continued unabated. . . . He did not know that the promised Messiah would actively point His followers back to Daniel’s book. But in spite of the general Babylonian trends and Belshazzar’s flippant attitude, some in the Babylonian court had acquired an awareness of the God of Daniel and his friends.
Read MoreYour head knowledge must find its way into your heart. Then God will work within you and bring about the full and necessary change.
Read MoreBelshazzar did not relish the fact of his grandfather’s religious conversion and therefore made a highlight of Nebuchadnezzar’s pre-conversion act of confiscating the sacred vessels of the temple where God had been worshipped.
Read MoreHis life had been filled with opportunities to learn responsibility, gain the understanding of divine authority, and grasp the will of God. Yet… he neglected to make use of the means that were within his reach.
Read MoreThough King Nebuchadnezzar had experienced a calamity, the outcome was a miracle of transformation instead of a tragedy of stubborn unwillingness to be transformed. Once proud and egotistical, the ruler of the Babylonian empire had become a humble child of God.
Read MoreThe exact timing of Nebuchadnezzar’s mental breakdown was not foretold, yet there is no mistaking that God places a limit on wickedness. In the king’s case, when that limit was reached, the prophesied calamity fell like a sledgehammer.
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