Daniel 6 - Daniel in the Lion's Den

 

Daniel 6 – Daniel in the Lion’s Den

 

Daniel was a savvy political consultant. He knew that his enemies were lying in wait for him, and he knew the penalty for praying to God. After weighing these concerns, Daniel concluded that they were nothing compared with the prospect of disrupting his relationship with God. So, “with windows open.. he knelt on his knees three times that day and prayed.” Daniel was unwilling to change his prayer habits, even at the risk of his own safety. He knew that where spiritual calling and everyday concerns clash, spiritual calling always takes precedence, no matter what.

 

King Darius had such confidence in Daniel that he placed him next to him in position and power. However, there were men among them that were jealous of his position and sought to do him harm. They wanted Daniel out of the picture. Because they couldn’t find anything wrong with Daniels life, they concocted a decree that would surely be disobedient to the Persian law. Not knowing the extent of what this decree was to bring about, the King readily agreed and put his signature to the decree. He succumbed to the flattery of men. When the king realized what this decree brought about for Daniel, he was truly sorry.

 

When King Darius had Daniel thrown into the lions den his perspective on the miracle that took place was different from Daniels. The king mouthed faithful sounding encouragement when Daniel was thrown into the pit but his sleepless night didn’t show faith in God. Daniel, on the other hand, approached his sentence with complete confidence in God’s will. As a result, Darius was only able to witness the event as a spectator, only able to appreciate it from afar. In contrast, Daniel experienced the miracle firsthand and felt the loving, protective hand of God. “Because he believed.” When we trust in God, we will recognize His touch in our lives.

 

Through God shutting the mouths of the lions, Daniel was spared but not so much for the men who brought about the decree. They were thrown into the lion’s den and devoured.

When a person sins against God’s children, you can rest assure that the sin would backfire on that individual because God protects His own. We are always safe in the arms of God, and nothing can prevent God’s will from taking place.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

Daniel 5 - Feast of Belshazzar

 

Daniel 5 – Feast of Belshazzar

 

Belshazzar’s drunken party has a notorious place in history. The royal celebrations of a conquering dynasty became a final gasp before defeat. Belshazzar set his tables that night with the precious items taken by the Babylonians’ victorious armies. Among those silver and golden bowls and cups were many taken from God’s temple in Jerusalem. Those dedicated utensils were filled with party wine. God’s property was dishonored.

 

While the king and a thousand of his officials engaged in a drunken bash at the royal palace, the invading army of the Medes and Persians surround the city. At the high point of the festivities, the fingers of God wrote a message of judgment on the wall of the palace. The message indicated that the Babylonian Empire would fall to the Medes and Persians that very night. History records the fact that the invading army diverted the course of the Euphrates River, tunneled under the walls of Babylon, and took the city without any resistance. In their state of drunkenness, Belshazzar and his officials were incapable of resisting the invaders.

 

Most drug or alcohol abusers discover sooner or later that their surrender to those controlled substances renders them defenseless. Their decision-making abilities suffer badly. Choices that appear wise through a drunken haze or drug-induced high often prove tragic. Temporary sobriety usually provides more of an opportunity to survey the disaster than to repair what has been damaged or lost. Right in the middle of enjoying everything he thought he had, Belshazzar awoke to discover he had nothing. His life went from unmanageable to unlivable in one night. He lost both the kingdom and his life.

 

Countless others have followed Belshazzar’s way of life. They may not have had as much to lose, but they lost it all anyway. Self-abusive lives like Belshazzar’s always end sadly. But those who surrender to God and live for Him receive a gift of eternal life that they can never lose. They never have to face the handwriting on the wall.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary. J Vernon McGee Thru the Bible

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

 

Daniel 4 - Testimony of Nebuchadnezzar

 

Daniel 4 – Testimony of Nebuchadnezzar

 

At the peak of his popularity and reign, Nebuchadnezzar testified of the Lord’s powerful work. Then he had a dream and called the same wise men who had failed him in the past. At their failure to decipher the dream, he summoned Daniel for one reason, “in him is the spirit of the Holy God.”

 

The huge tree in Nebuchadnezzars dream was a symbol of prosperity and life, then a watcher, a holy one entered the dream and ordered that the tree be chopped down in its prime. Daniel confirmed that this tree is Nebuchadnezzar.

 

The very fact that God gave the dream to Nebuchadnezzar as a warning shows God’s mercy. Even so, Nebuchadnezzar would not break off his sins and acknowledge that the Most High rules. He deemed himself as an equal to God, all powerful. He says “my house, my palace: Giving God only limited credit. His own words betray his overwhelming pride. His pathway proved that pride is the fastest road to self-destruction.

 

God gave the king a year’s opportunity for repentance, but he continued in his sins. Then God humbled him. The king learned his lesson, and when he was restored, he gave the glory to God.

 

No matter what position we have in life, God gave it to us, and He is sovereign. When man tries to take the place of God, he becomes like a beast. God still resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34).

 

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible

 

 

Daniel 3 - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

Daniel 3- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

 

King Nebuchadnezzar reveals his pride in himself and his kingdom. He does this by erecting a gold statue of himself. In today’s measurements, it would be 90 feet tall. Building this statue was a direct rebellion against God. A show of self-pride, asking the people to see him as a deity or a god himself. Also, it was his attempt to have one religion worldwide. This is the kind of movement we could see in our world today that would lead to the Great Tribulation, to the man of sin, and the false prophet. This is after God’s people are removed from the earth.

 

When Nebuchadnezzar ordered the people to come and worship his image, all were present, except Daniel and his three friends. Although their lives were threatened many times, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced their greatest test when they were ordered to bow and worship the statue. The friends recognized that obedience in this case meant more than simply giving honor to their king as their leader. It involved a choice between loyalty to God or to the king. For them, the choice was clear. They would serve the king, but they would not worship him.

 

When the three men were confronted and threatened, they offered a courageous statement of faith. “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. It that is the case our God whom we serve can deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand. O King, but if not, let it be known to you that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image.” Their tone was respectful, confident, and uncompromising, and showed a display of faith toward God. They were clearly ready to die than deny God.  

 

The depth of our faith and loyalty can only be measured against resistance. Sometimes, as in this case, the test becomes a miracle. It’s one thing to walk into a fiery furnace with the knowledge that God will protect us. It’s another thing to walk into that same furnace knowing that God may choose to let us die for reasons we don’t understand. Faith is not a matter of believing that God will do what we think is best for us. It is whatever God does is best, regardless of how it seems to affect us. King Nebuchadnezzar clearly seen this as a miracle and declared God to be superior to his god.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. J. Vernon McGee Through the Bible.

Daniel 2 - Nebuchadnezzar

 

Daniel 2 – Nebuchadnezzar

 

Nebuchadnezzar’s advisory council consisted of magicians, astrologers, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. He gathered these men to interpret a troubling dream, unaware that God intended it as a vehicle through which He would reveal His purposes.

 

Nebuchadnezzar could conquer empires, but he could not conquer his own anger (Prov. 16:31). He understood how to defeat the enemy, but he could not understand the message of God. Daniel had patience and self-control and could explain the mysteries of God. A pure heart is better than a powerful throne.

 

Daniel and his friends knew the “God of heaven” who is merciful, answers prayer, reveals secrets, establishes rulers, and will one day set up His kingdom. Because the four men could come to God’s throne, they had no fear of Nebuchadnezzar’s throne.

 

When he explained the dream, Daniel gave the glory to God and shared the credit with his three friends. He also saved the lives of the king’s wise men (the Chaldeans) when he could have exposed them as frauds. The presence of a believer can mean deliverance for unbelievers (Job 2:7-10; Acts 27:21-25), and we must be forgiving to our enemies. After all, we want to win them to the Savior.

 

Daniel is a good example of a good leader. He spoke with sound counsel and deep wisdom to the authorities and took time to seek God for his words. Impulsiveness is not of the Lord; instead, it points to a person who forges ahead, impatient for God’s answer. Responsiveness is the mark of one who lets God guide in His time.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.

 

 

Daniel 1 - A Man of God

 

Daniel 1 – A Man of God                                                                      

 

When Nebuchadnezzar began his conquest of Judah, he deported several Jews to Babylon, including Daniel and his friends, who were probably teenagers at the time. God blessed Daniel and gave him important places of service under four different rulers who represented three different kingdoms.

 

The world always wants the best, but these young men determined to give their best to the Lord. It is possible to serve the Lord even in Babylon. Think of Jospeh in Egypt and Esther in Persia. Don’t complain about the place where God puts you. Ask Him to use you while you are there.

 

The world wants to change you and make you a “conformer”, but God can help you become a “transformer” (Rom. 12:1-2). Daniel and his friends had a new home, strange new names, new teachings, and were even offered a new diet; but they kept the same heart’s dedication to the Lord (Prov. 4:23).

 

God can give us favor in difficult places. Daniel was courteous to his guards and did not create problems for them. He was following the counsel of Jeremiah (Jer.29) and the example of Joseph (Gen. 39:4).

 

When everything in your life is upsetting and you find yourself in new circumstances that you cannot control, let the Lord take over and work out the plan He has in mind. If your heart is right with Him. His hand will work for you.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J.Vernon McGee Thru the Bible. Nelson’s Quick Reference

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible.

Ezekiel 45-48 - The Holy District

 

Ezekiel 45- The Holy District

 

According to J. Vernon McGee he states the reason why there will be sacrifices after Jesus Returns is because the literal blood of Christ is going to be in heaven. Our salvation from sin and hell unto heaven was a pretty big job, one that only God could undertake. The blood of Christ will be in heaven to remind the church of this, and the sacrifices will be restored here on earth to reveal to the people how they were redeemed.

 

The Levites will inhabit a large portion of territory as their inheritance, although it will not be considered theirs, but the Lord’s. God exhorts the leaders of the millennial kingdom to be the sort of godly men God had always sought to lead His people. Very practical measures and directives are given.

 

Two feasts will take place, Passover, and the Feast of the Tabernacles.

 

Ezekiel 46 – The manner of Worship

 

In the Millennium, a family’s property must remain in their possession and not be permanently sold or transferred to someone else. Not even the prince or leader could give away his family’s property, and neither could he take anyone’s property away from them. Justice will prevail in this kingdom of the Lord’s holiness.

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

 

Ezekiel 47-48 – Depths and Dimensions

 

This river speaks of the healing and life-giving power of the Holy Spirit of God (John 7:37-39). No matter how deep you want to go into the things of God, the opportunity is there. It’s tragic that too many linger in the shallows when they could be enjoying the depths.

God assigns our inheritance, and He will keep His promise to Abraham and give Israel their land.

The important thing about the land is not the river or the borders but the glorious presence of God.

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans For You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com.

J. Vernon McGee Commentary and Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible