Scripture text for Wednesday, March 10th, 2010: Daniel 6:1-6:28
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As a wise administrator under four successive despots in Babylon, Daniel prospered from the reign of Nebuchadnezzar who demolished Jerusalem to that of Cyrus who restored her. Yet instead of chafing under his pagan rulers, Daniel honored them, for he recognized God as the One who “changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them” (Da 2:21). Daniel let his light shine so brightly that even kings saw his good deeds and at times gave glory to the Father.
In fact, in his role as one of King Darius’ top managers, “Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” (Da 6:3). Imagine that – the locals were riled, and they plotted to kill Daniel by so cleverly flattering the king that he issued a fixed decree: worship him or be eaten by lions.
Unmoved by the affairs of men, Daniel continued to pray boldly to God in front of open windows, where his enemies knew he would be. Not even Darius could nullify Daniel’s carnivorous fate, but God could by shutting the lions’ mouths. After Daniel emerged unscathed from the den, his false accusers instead were thrown below into the bone-crushing jaws of the roaring lions.
Daniel knew where to focus his fears, to not “… be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more… Fear him, who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” (Luke 12:4-5)
Devotion prepared by Linda Monahan