1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,440 Speaker 1: Let us pray. My God hath sent his angel and 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,719 Speaker 1: hath shut the lion's mouths, that they have not hurt me, 3 00:00:09,400 --> 00:00:13,400 Speaker 1: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me, and 4 00:00:13,520 --> 00:00:16,880 Speaker 1: also before thee O King, I have done no hurt 5 00:00:17,960 --> 00:00:22,919 Speaker 1: Daniel six twenty two. Thank you, Lord for giving me 6 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:27,479 Speaker 1: divine favor. Thank you for increasing my favor amongst men 7 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:32,199 Speaker 1: and women. When others plot my downfall because of my 8 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: divine favor and blessing, I thank you that you have 9 00:00:35,560 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: already prepared a way for me. In the moments I 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:43,520 Speaker 1: find myself in the pit with the lions of fear, doubt, 11 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:48,240 Speaker 1: and uncertainty. Like Daniel in to day's reading, I will 12 00:00:48,240 --> 00:00:54,200 Speaker 1: pray and then watch as you shut their mouths. Because 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:58,560 Speaker 1: of your goodness, whoever desired to see my downfall will 14 00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 1: instead be introduced to your saving grace and protection towards 15 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:07,880 Speaker 1: your children. Because I'm yours, I will use my redemption 16 00:01:08,080 --> 00:01:12,240 Speaker 1: and elevation to bring praise, honor, and glory to your name. 17 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:18,160 Speaker 1: You are the God that protects, and this truth will 18 00:01:18,200 --> 00:01:26,160 Speaker 1: never change. In Jesus's name, Amen, thank you for praying 19 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:29,959 Speaker 1: with us today. Continue your time with God by listening 20 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 1: to Today's Bible story brought to you by Bible in 21 00:01:33,480 --> 00:01:34,440 Speaker 1: a Year dot. 22 00:01:34,240 --> 00:01:47,200 Speaker 2: Com Daniel in the lions Den and our last story, 23 00:01:47,280 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 2: we were introduced to King Belshazzar, the son of King Nebuconezza. 24 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: He carried the pride of a prince that did not 25 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 2: earn his throne. He threw lavish parties for the nobles 26 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:01,639 Speaker 2: of Babylon and defiled the vessels taken from the temple 27 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:05,160 Speaker 2: of God. He trifled with the maker of heaven and Earth, 28 00:02:05,640 --> 00:02:10,440 Speaker 2: and was not left unpunished. As Daniel foretold, his kingdom 29 00:02:10,520 --> 00:02:14,880 Speaker 2: was stripped from him, and the Persians seized Babylon for themselves. 30 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 2: Now we are introduced to King Darius, King of Persia. 31 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 2: He elevates Daniel to a high position. However, Daniel becomes 32 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,920 Speaker 2: the object of other leaders jealousy. Daniel's favor will be 33 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: shown before the whole nation as God protects him from 34 00:02:31,560 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 2: the Lion's Den. Inspired by the Book of Daniel. 35 00:02:37,880 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 3: Thank you for joining us for today's episode of the 36 00:02:40,480 --> 00:02:44,200 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year. This is Pastor Jack Graham. In 37 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:47,080 Speaker 3: our last episode, we heard how God sent a message 38 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 3: to King Belshazar. It was a message of judgment and 39 00:02:50,600 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 3: death because he failed to humble himself before the Lord 40 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 3: Babylon fell to an outside enemy and Belshazzar's life was ended. 41 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:05,360 Speaker 3: Daniel maintain a position of power. Righteous. Daniel's influence even 42 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,040 Speaker 3: in the midst of all of this, would continue, as 43 00:03:08,120 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 3: God would make his own name known to the nations. Today, 44 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 3: we'll hear how Daniels served King Darius and earned his trust. 45 00:03:15,919 --> 00:03:18,720 Speaker 3: Yet Darius would listen to the counsel of wicked men 46 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 3: seeking to get rid of Daniel. He therefore foolishly issues 47 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 3: a decree that places Daniel in danger of death. But 48 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,800 Speaker 3: God's hand of protection will be upon Daniel. It's a 49 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:34,280 Speaker 3: powerful story of God's power before an entire nation. It's 50 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 3: one of the most famous stories in the Bible, Daniel 51 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 3: and the Lion's den Let's listen to that story in 52 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:42,120 Speaker 3: God's word Today. 53 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,560 Speaker 2: The Persian Empire stretched its wide arms over the land 54 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 2: of Babylon. Its rule was like the sun, covering the 55 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 2: entire nation with intensity. King Darius, the lesser King of 56 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 2: the Medes, assumed the throne of Babylon. Arieus was not 57 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 2: like King Belshazzar. He was wise and open to the 58 00:04:04,360 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 2: knowledge of Daniel and other Jewish scholars. He leaned on 59 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 2: Daniel's experience with governing the exiles and elevated him as 60 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 2: one of the one hundred twenty say traps to rule 61 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,279 Speaker 2: over Babylon. Of these say traps, three were appointed to 62 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 2: rule over them. Daniel quickly gained enough favor to be 63 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 2: one of these three. He was distinguished above them, and 64 00:04:26,279 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 2: the spirit of God shone on him. It was not 65 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 2: long before King Darius was willing to set Daniel in 66 00:04:32,200 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 2: charge of the whole kingdom. As Daniel grew in favor 67 00:04:36,240 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 2: and wisdom, the other high officials grew in jealous rage. 68 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 2: They teemed with anger against Daniel. They sought to undermine 69 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 2: him in front of the king. They watched him carefully 70 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 2: and set men to spy on him. There looked for 71 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 2: any form of corruption in him, but could find none. 72 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,240 Speaker 2: Daniel was blameless in all his dealings. There were no 73 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 2: secrets to be exploited or lies to be exc disposed. 74 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,760 Speaker 2: Late at night, the leaders conspired against him. There are 75 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 2: no grounds for complaints against him. One yelled, what if 76 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 2: we made up a reason? What if we created a 77 00:05:11,040 --> 00:05:14,160 Speaker 2: law that we knew he would break? The other whispered. 78 00:05:14,760 --> 00:05:18,239 Speaker 2: They thought carefully about how to trap Daniel. The only 79 00:05:18,279 --> 00:05:22,120 Speaker 2: thing they could think to exploit was his faithfulness to God. 80 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,480 Speaker 2: It was dawn and King Darius was enjoying his mourning 81 00:05:26,520 --> 00:05:29,520 Speaker 2: in the gardens of the palace. Darius was a better 82 00:05:29,600 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 2: king than most, but he still lacked a knowledge and 83 00:05:32,560 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: reverence for the Lord. Therefore, he was vulnerable to self 84 00:05:36,640 --> 00:05:40,520 Speaker 2: worship and pride. His men knew this and approached him 85 00:05:40,520 --> 00:05:44,159 Speaker 2: with a plan to use Darius against Daniel. The two 86 00:05:44,160 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 2: of them met the king in the garden and bowed 87 00:05:46,400 --> 00:05:51,320 Speaker 2: before him, Our King, live forever. You are truly worthy 88 00:05:51,360 --> 00:05:56,039 Speaker 2: of our praise and affection. Their words pleased Darius. All 89 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 2: of the high officials have been speaking of your greatness. 90 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,400 Speaker 2: We believe be admonished before all the people of Babylon. 91 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 2: Let us create a holiday for thirty days. We are 92 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 2: to worship no god except for you. The king was interested. 93 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,520 Speaker 2: How would we enforce such a law, he asked, simple, 94 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 2: they replied, If anyone is caught praying to or worshiping 95 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,800 Speaker 2: any god besides you, then they will be sent into 96 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 2: the lions den. We will order our guards to keep 97 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,719 Speaker 2: a close watch on the whole nation. This idea thrilled 98 00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:31,359 Speaker 2: the king, so he made an official decree that for 99 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 2: the next thirty days, no other God shall be worshiped 100 00:06:34,520 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 2: but him. A few days passed and the same leaders 101 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 2: came to Darius in his palace. They wore grim faces 102 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:46,479 Speaker 2: and feigned dread our King, we have terrible news, they said, 103 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 2: trying to hold back their smiles. Daniel, the exile from Judah, 104 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 2: continues to pray to his God three times a day. 105 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,839 Speaker 2: When the king heard these words, he was greatly troubled. 106 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 2: Daniel was his most trusted servant and the wisest governor 107 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,039 Speaker 2: under his rule. He purposed in his heart to find 108 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 2: a way to relieve Daniel of his punishment, but there 109 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 2: were no loopholes in his decree, Plus he could not 110 00:07:11,640 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 2: look weak in front of the other Satraps. Darius did 111 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 2: not sleep that night. He grieved what he had to 112 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 2: do to Daniel, and he deep down knew that it 113 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 2: was his own pride that would kill his friend. The 114 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 2: next day looked as though the sun never rose. Dark 115 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,920 Speaker 2: clouds covered the sky, and the king's heart ached with 116 00:07:31,000 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 2: regret Daniel. The leaders of Babylon and the guards escorted 117 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 2: Daniel to the lion's den. Daniel did not struggle, and 118 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,600 Speaker 2: he did not protest. He walked with them with his 119 00:07:42,680 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 2: head held high. A rumbling could be heard from the 120 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 2: lion's den. Their roars shook the earth below him. The 121 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 2: color had left the King's face. He looked more worried 122 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 2: than Daniel did before Daniel was sent in. The king 123 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:01,440 Speaker 2: embraced him and said, may your God protect. The two 124 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 2: men looked at one another. Daniel could see the pain 125 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:08,080 Speaker 2: in Arius's eyes. He smiled and allowed himself to be 126 00:08:08,160 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 2: thrown deep into the lion's den. The lions were deep 127 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 2: within the den, and Daniel could see the light reflecting 128 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 2: against their eyes. Then, as the stone of the den 129 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 2: was rolled over the entrance, all went black. Daniel's eyes 130 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: had not yet adjusted to the darkness. He bent his 131 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 2: knees to gain better footing. He was prepared to fight, 132 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 2: or to submit, or to pray. He did not know 133 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,600 Speaker 2: which would be called for first. The low growls of 134 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,280 Speaker 2: the lions echoed off the walls of the den. The 135 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 2: sound rumbled the earth. He could feel their roars in 136 00:08:41,840 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 2: his chest. Daniel began to see shapes against the walls 137 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 2: around him. Finally, his eyes were adjusting to the light. 138 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,120 Speaker 2: The shadows moved around him. Daniel shifted to the left 139 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 2: and then to the right. The lions were surrounding him. 140 00:08:56,559 --> 00:08:59,480 Speaker 2: Daniel prayed to the Lord in his mind. He knew 141 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 2: that any word could set the lions pouncing. He looked 142 00:09:02,720 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 2: to his left and saw the largest of the lions 143 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 2: crouching next to him. It was getting ready to pounce 144 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 2: as its hind legs bent back like a spring. A 145 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:15,400 Speaker 2: bright light broke through the darkness. It was blinding, and 146 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,199 Speaker 2: Daniel could hear the painful roars of the lions scraping 147 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 2: back against the wall. Daniel fell to his knees, barely 148 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 2: able to see what was happening. The darkness was cut 149 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 2: in half with light, like a sword through flesh, and 150 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:32,319 Speaker 2: Daniel saw each lion cowering in fear. The lions hissed 151 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 2: and roared at the light, but were soon quieted as 152 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 2: their jaws were forced to shut. Then, in an instant, 153 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 2: the light vanished. All returned to darkness, and Daniel sat 154 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:45,960 Speaker 2: in the middle of the den praying to the Lord. 155 00:09:47,080 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 2: It was still night and the sun was a few 156 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 2: hours from rising. King Darius paced his room, worrying over Daniel. 157 00:09:54,400 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 2: He did not eat or sleep all night. Instead, he 158 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 2: set his mind on the welfare of his friend. He 159 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 2: waited for the light to break so we could roll 160 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 2: away the stone of the den. As soon as the 161 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 2: light touched the bottom of the horizon, Darius put on 162 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 2: his clothes and rushed to the den. He and all 163 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,280 Speaker 2: the men raced together and pulled away the stone. All 164 00:10:15,400 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 2: was silent. Darius approached the entrance to the den. He 165 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,600 Speaker 2: looked down and listened for any sound. He could hear nothing. 166 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 2: He became worried and shouted, Daniel, servant of the Living God, 167 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 2: has your God delivered you from the lions. There was 168 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,720 Speaker 2: a long pause. Darius's heart was beating fast. Then a 169 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 2: small voice echoed up to the entrance. O King live forever. 170 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 2: Of course, I am safe, for I was blameless. My 171 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:51,040 Speaker 2: Lord upheld me and shut the mouths of lions. Darius 172 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 2: let out a sigh of relief and ordered his men 173 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:55,640 Speaker 2: to send a rope to bring him up from the den. 174 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 2: Daniel was brought back into the light. The king embraced 175 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 2: him and then looked back at the men who had 176 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:06,679 Speaker 2: accused Daniel. The King's rage burned against them. Immediately they 177 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 2: were taken. The gods grabbed them and threw them into 178 00:11:10,000 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 2: the lion's den. It took no time at all for 179 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 2: the lions to pounce and tear the men into mouth. 180 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,160 Speaker 2: Their cries burst through the whole of the den. The 181 00:11:19,240 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: sound of ripping flesh and bloody screams filled the air 182 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 2: for a moment, and all was silent again. Darius praised 183 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:30,839 Speaker 2: Daniel and his God. He was another king that was 184 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 2: humbled by the favor of God on a faithful servant. 185 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 3: We begin today's reading with King Darius as ruler in 186 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 3: the land. Unlike Belshazar, he is thirsty for knowledge and understanding, 187 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 3: and he's willing to lean on others for help in 188 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 3: ruling the people. God's great favor was upon Daniel, and 189 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 3: he is soon elevated to a very prominent position, So 190 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:01,480 Speaker 3: prominent that he was among three of King Darius's closest advisers, 191 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 3: and he was a standout among those. God's spirit, an 192 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 3: excellent spirit, rested upon Daniel. Of course, when God is 193 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 3: at work, the enemy does not rest. It's been said, 194 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,679 Speaker 3: when God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, 195 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 3: then the devil opens the doors of hell to blast us. 196 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 3: Daniel's success provoked jealousy among other powerful officials, and while 197 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:29,119 Speaker 3: Daniel acted in the interest of the king and ultimately 198 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 3: the king of glory, God's glory. Others were interested in 199 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 3: exalting themselves, and that would require taking Daniel out. But 200 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,360 Speaker 3: try as they might, he was above reproach. It is 201 00:12:42,400 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 3: a powerful reminder that when we are doing God's will, 202 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,600 Speaker 3: there will be attacks. When we live in integrity, we 203 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 3: must be vigilant not to give the enemy a place. 204 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 3: The Bible says, don't give the devil a foothold. The 205 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,760 Speaker 3: only thing the other officials could imagine as a weakness 206 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,840 Speaker 3: was Daniel's devotion to God. Can you imagine that? They 207 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 3: thought his weakness is his love and devotion to God. 208 00:13:08,880 --> 00:13:11,719 Speaker 3: He was a man of deep faith and conviction, and 209 00:13:12,040 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 3: they knew he would not bow to any false God, 210 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 3: not even a king. So they concocted a plan. It 211 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 3: was devious as it was clever. They appealed to darius 212 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 3: own pride and filled his head with flattery. He was king, 213 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:30,600 Speaker 3: after all, and kings were to be worshiped like God's. 214 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 3: So they proposed a thirty day celebration of his majesty, 215 00:13:35,480 --> 00:13:37,800 Speaker 3: and during that time no other God was to be 216 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 3: worshiped but Darius. He fell for it, so the decree 217 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 3: was signed that anyone caught worshiping a God other than 218 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 3: Darius for the next thirty days would be thrown into 219 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 3: a den of ravenous lions. It was a death penalty 220 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 3: with no hope of escape. Now Daniel had some choices. 221 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 3: He could have just yielded to the pressure and appease 222 00:14:01,480 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 3: the king for a month. Who would know who would care, 223 00:14:04,679 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 3: But this was no choice at all. He resolved long 224 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:11,560 Speaker 3: ago to have no other gods between himself and the 225 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 3: Lord God. He could just worship God in private, hiding 226 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 3: away for safety. That was another alternative method, but that 227 00:14:19,760 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 3: was not good either. He was not a coward. He 228 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 3: was courageous and feared no one. So Daniel did exactly 229 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 3: what he always did, not for show, but for prayer. 230 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 3: He opened his windows upstairs, kneeling facing Jerusalem, worshiping God 231 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 3: for all to see who desired to see. I wonder 232 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 3: how many of us would have had this kind of courage, 233 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,080 Speaker 3: that we would dare to be a Daniel, just like 234 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 3: this great man, praising God, even if it might cost 235 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 3: us our life. There are countless Christians who face persecution 236 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 3: in the world today, and some even have to worship 237 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 3: God in secret, but Daniel's calling was different and unique. 238 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 3: He obeyed and remained faithful and fervent in his faith. 239 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 3: These evil officials got just what they wanted and quickly 240 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 3: turned him into Darius, who realized too late the big 241 00:15:14,440 --> 00:15:17,280 Speaker 3: mistake that he had made. He knew very well that 242 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 3: Daniel worshiped only God, but he was blinded by his 243 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 3: own desire for fame and fortune and adoration. A Persian 244 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,360 Speaker 3: law forbid even a king from changing his decree. Perhaps 245 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 3: you've heard of the laws of the Meeds and the Persians, 246 00:15:33,840 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 3: so there was no escape. Darius gave the order for 247 00:15:37,520 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 3: Daniel to be thrown into the lions den, but we 248 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 3: see his heart already hopeful that God would save this 249 00:15:43,520 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 3: innocent man. He says this to Daniel in chapter six, 250 00:15:47,760 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 3: verse sixteen, May your God, whom you serve, continually rescue you. 251 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 3: The king knew that only God could rescue Daniel, so 252 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 3: the next morning, when he checked on Daniel, the response 253 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,400 Speaker 3: came from below. God had sent an angel to shut 254 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 3: the lion's mouths, just as his friend Shadrak Meshak and 255 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:10,880 Speaker 3: a Bendigo had been saved and the fiery furnished years ago. 256 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 3: God rescued Daniel. What a miracle. So the king glorified 257 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,080 Speaker 3: God and saying the praises of Yahweh. The officials who 258 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 3: conspired to kill Daniel were thrown into the den of lions. 259 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,360 Speaker 3: Once again, God is not mack. What a person sows, 260 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 3: that person reaps. These evil men sowed lies, and so 261 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,480 Speaker 3: they lived and died by their lie. And God's greatness 262 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:39,440 Speaker 3: was once again shown to his people and everyone and 263 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,600 Speaker 3: all of the land. Surely God has the power to 264 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 3: save his own. We live in God's protection always, and 265 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 3: in our next reading we'll hear how he begins to 266 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 3: restore the exiled Israelites to their land. Dear God, we 267 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 3: thank you that your word says no weapon formed against 268 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,760 Speaker 3: us will prosper. We praise you for your goodness and 269 00:17:00,760 --> 00:17:03,520 Speaker 3: grace in our lives to keep us alive until our 270 00:17:03,560 --> 00:17:06,840 Speaker 3: time comes to be with you. Help us to courageously, 271 00:17:07,200 --> 00:17:10,760 Speaker 3: boldly pray and serve you, and commit our lives to 272 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:14,480 Speaker 3: do everything in your will, regardless of the cost or 273 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:20,080 Speaker 3: the consequences. May we obey you and leave the consequences there, 274 00:17:20,760 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 3: Help us to trust you completely. Amen. Once again, thank 275 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:28,119 Speaker 3: you for listening to today's Bible. In a year podcast. 276 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,280 Speaker 3: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage 277 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 3: you to download thepray dot com app and make Bible 278 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 3: study and prayer a real priority in your life. And 279 00:17:40,200 --> 00:17:43,760 Speaker 3: if you are enjoying this podcast, share it with someone 280 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 3: you know, someone you care about, because sharing God's word 281 00:17:47,359 --> 00:17:51,000 Speaker 3: has a powerful impact upon people's lives. And if you 282 00:17:51,040 --> 00:17:54,919 Speaker 3: want more resources as to how you can find faith, 283 00:17:55,400 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 3: grow in your faith, develop as a disciple and follower 284 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,200 Speaker 3: of Jesus, be sure to visit me at Jack Graham 285 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:05,640 Speaker 3: dot org. We have plenty of resources that will encourage 286 00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:08,439 Speaker 3: you and equip you for life. God bless you.