1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: Let us pray. My God hath sent his angel and 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:08,760 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 --> 00:00:16,920 Speaker 1: also before thee O King, I have done no hurt 5 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:22,959 Speaker 1: Daniel six twenty two. Thank you, Lord for giving me 6 00:00:23,040 --> 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 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:35,519 Speaker 1: divine favor and blessing, I thank you that you have 9 00:00:35,600 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: already prepared a way for me. In the moments I 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:43,600 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 --> 00:00:54,240 Speaker 1: pray and then watch as you shut their mouths. Because 13 00:00:54,240 --> 00:00:58,600 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' 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 00:01:33,520 --> 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 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 2: we were introduced to King Belshazzar, the son of King Nebuconezza. 24 00:01:52,440 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 3: He carried the pride of a prince that did not 25 00:01:54,880 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 3: earn his throne. He threw lavish parties for the nobles 26 00:01:58,360 --> 00:02:01,639 Speaker 3: of Babylon and defiled the vessels taken from the temple 27 00:02:01,680 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 3: of God. He trifled with the maker of heaven and Earth, 28 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:10,480 Speaker 3: and was not left unpunished. As Daniel foretold, his kingdom 29 00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:14,919 Speaker 3: was stripped from him, and the Persians seized Babylon for themselves. 30 00:02:15,720 --> 00:02:19,600 Speaker 3: Now we are introduced to King Darius, King of Persia. 31 00:02:19,800 --> 00:02:23,840 Speaker 3: He elevates Daniel to a high position. However, Daniel becomes 32 00:02:23,840 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 3: the object of other leaders jealousy. Daniel's favor will be 33 00:02:28,040 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 3: shown before the whole nation as God protects him from 34 00:02:31,600 --> 00:02:35,639 Speaker 3: the Lion's Den. Inspired by the Book of Daniel. 35 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:40,480 Speaker 4: Thank you for joining us for today's episode of the 36 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year. This is Pastor Jack Graham. In 37 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:47,120 Speaker 4: our last episode, we heard how God sent a message 38 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:50,480 Speaker 4: to King Belshazar. It was a message of judgment and 39 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 4: death because he failed to humble himself before the Lord 40 00:02:55,040 --> 00:02:59,480 Speaker 4: Babylon fell to an outside enemy and Belshazzar's life was ended. 41 00:03:00,400 --> 00:03:05,400 Speaker 4: Daniel maintained a position of power. Righteous. Daniel's influence even 42 00:03:05,480 --> 00:03:08,079 Speaker 4: in the midst of all of this would continue, as 43 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 4: God would make his own name known to the nations. Today, 44 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,400 Speaker 4: we'll hear how Daniels served King Darius and earned his trust. 45 00:03:15,960 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 4: Yet Darius would listen to the Council of wicked men 46 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 4: seeking to get rid of Daniel. He therefore foolishly issues 47 00:03:22,760 --> 00:03:26,320 Speaker 4: a decree that places Daniel in danger of death. But 48 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:29,800 Speaker 4: God's hand of protection will be upon Daniel. It's a 49 00:03:29,840 --> 00:03:34,320 Speaker 4: powerful story of God's power before an entire nation. It's 50 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 4: one of the most famous stories in the Bible, Daniel 51 00:03:37,840 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 4: and the Lions den Let's listen to that story in 52 00:03:41,120 --> 00:03:42,160 Speaker 4: God's word today. 53 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 3: The Persian Empire stretched its wide arms over the land 54 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:51,880 Speaker 3: of Babylon. Its rule was like the sun, covering the 55 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:56,680 Speaker 3: entire nation with intensity. King Darius, the lesser King of 56 00:03:56,720 --> 00:04:00,760 Speaker 3: the Medes, assumed the throne of Babylon. Arrieus was not 57 00:04:01,000 --> 00:04:04,320 Speaker 3: like King Belshazzar. He was wise and open to the 58 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:08,160 Speaker 3: knowledge of Daniel and other Jewish scholars. He leaned on 59 00:04:08,280 --> 00:04:12,760 Speaker 3: Daniel's experience with governing the exiles and elevated him as 60 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:15,320 Speaker 3: one of the one hundred twenty say traps to rule 61 00:04:15,360 --> 00:04:19,280 Speaker 3: over Babylon. Of these say traps, three were appointed to 62 00:04:19,360 --> 00:04:22,719 Speaker 3: rule over them. Daniel quickly gained enough favor to be 63 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:26,240 Speaker 3: one of these three. He was distinguished above them, and 64 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 3: the spirit of God shown on him. It was not 65 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:32,120 Speaker 3: long before King Darius was willing to set Daniel in 66 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 3: charge of the whole kingdom. As Daniel grew in favor 67 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:39,800 Speaker 3: and wisdom, the other high officials grew in jealous rage. 68 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:44,120 Speaker 3: They teemed with anger against Daniel. They sought to undermine 69 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:47,200 Speaker 3: him in front of the king. They watched him carefully 70 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 3: and set men to spy on him. They looked for 71 00:04:50,200 --> 00:04:53,360 Speaker 3: any form of corruption in him, but could find none. 72 00:04:53,920 --> 00:04:57,279 Speaker 3: Daniel was blameless in all his dealings. There were no 73 00:04:57,400 --> 00:05:00,520 Speaker 3: secrets to be exploited or lies to be exc disposed. 74 00:05:01,240 --> 00:05:04,800 Speaker 3: Late at night, the leaders conspired against him. There are 75 00:05:04,800 --> 00:05:08,360 Speaker 3: no grounds for complaints against him. One yelled, what if 76 00:05:08,400 --> 00:05:10,960 Speaker 3: we made up a reason? What if we created a 77 00:05:11,080 --> 00:05:12,440 Speaker 3: law that we knew. 78 00:05:12,160 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 1: He would break? 79 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 3: The other whispered. They thought carefully about how to trap Daniel. 80 00:05:17,839 --> 00:05:20,560 Speaker 3: The only thing they could think to exploit was his 81 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:25,440 Speaker 3: faithfulness to God. It was dawn and King Darius was 82 00:05:25,560 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 3: enjoying his mourning in the gardens of the palace. Darius 83 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:31,719 Speaker 3: was a better king than most, but he still lacked 84 00:05:31,760 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 3: in knowledge and reverence for the Lord. Therefore he was 85 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:39,480 Speaker 3: vulnerable to self worship and pride. His men knew this 86 00:05:39,760 --> 00:05:43,279 Speaker 3: and approached him with a plan to use Darius against Daniel. 87 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:45,640 Speaker 3: The two of them met the king and the garden 88 00:05:45,800 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 3: and bowed before him, Our King, live forever. You are 89 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:55,359 Speaker 3: truly worthy of our praise and affection. Their words pleased Darius. 90 00:05:55,880 --> 00:05:58,800 Speaker 3: All of the high officials have been speaking of your greatness. 91 00:05:59,240 --> 00:06:02,440 Speaker 3: We believe be admonished before all the people of Babylon. 92 00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:06,320 Speaker 3: Let us create a holiday for thirty days. We are 93 00:06:06,360 --> 00:06:10,600 Speaker 3: to worship no god except for you. The king was interested. 94 00:06:11,400 --> 00:06:14,560 Speaker 3: How would we enforce such a law, he asked, simple, 95 00:06:14,760 --> 00:06:18,520 Speaker 3: they replied, If anyone is caught praying to or worshiping 96 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 3: any god besides you, then they will be sent into 97 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:25,240 Speaker 3: the lions den. We will order our guards to keep 98 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 3: a close watch on the whole nation. This idea thrilled 99 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:31,359 Speaker 3: the king, so he made an official decree that for 100 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:34,240 Speaker 3: the next thirty days, no other God shall be worshiped 101 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: but him. A few days passed and the same leaders 102 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 3: came to Darius in his palace. They wore grim faces 103 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:46,480 Speaker 3: and feigned dread our King, We have terrible news, they said, 104 00:06:46,680 --> 00:06:51,000 Speaker 3: trying to hold back their smiles. Daniel, the exile from Judah, 105 00:06:51,040 --> 00:06:54,039 Speaker 3: continues to pray to his God three times a day. 106 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:57,880 Speaker 3: When the king heard these words, he was greatly troubled. 107 00:06:58,480 --> 00:07:02,000 Speaker 3: Daniel was his most trusted servant and the wisest governor 108 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,040 Speaker 3: under his rule. He purposed in his heart to find 109 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 3: a way to relieve Daniel of his punishment, but there 110 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,520 Speaker 3: were no loopholes in his decree, Plus he could not 111 00:07:11,680 --> 00:07:15,080 Speaker 3: look weak in front of the other Satraps. Darius did 112 00:07:15,080 --> 00:07:18,240 Speaker 3: not sleep that night. He grieved what he had to 113 00:07:18,320 --> 00:07:21,360 Speaker 3: do to Daniel, and he deep down knew that it 114 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 3: was his own pride that would kill his friend. The 115 00:07:24,520 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 3: next day looked as though the sun never rose. Dark 116 00:07:27,960 --> 00:07:30,960 Speaker 3: clouds covered the sky, and the king's heart ached with 117 00:07:31,040 --> 00:07:35,640 Speaker 3: regret Daniel. The leaders of Babylon and the guards escorted 118 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,400 Speaker 3: Daniel to the lion's den. Daniel did not struggle, and 119 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,640 Speaker 3: he did not protest. He walked with them with his 120 00:07:42,720 --> 00:07:45,640 Speaker 3: head held high. A rumbling could be heard from the 121 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:49,880 Speaker 3: lion's den. Their roars shook the earth below him. The 122 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:53,400 Speaker 3: color had left the King's face. He looked more worried 123 00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:56,840 Speaker 3: than Daniel did before Daniel was sent in. The king 124 00:07:56,920 --> 00:08:01,480 Speaker 3: embraced him and said, may your God protect. The two 125 00:08:01,520 --> 00:08:04,400 Speaker 3: men looked at one another. Daniel could see the pain 126 00:08:04,440 --> 00:08:08,120 Speaker 3: in Darrius's eyes. He smiled and allowed himself to be 127 00:08:08,200 --> 00:08:11,880 Speaker 3: thrown deep into the lion's den. The lions were deep 128 00:08:11,920 --> 00:08:14,840 Speaker 3: within the den, and Daniel could see the light reflecting 129 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,120 Speaker 3: against their eyes. Then, as the stone of the den 130 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 3: was rolled over the entrance, all went black. Daniel's eyes 131 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 3: had not yet adjusted to the darkness. He bent his 132 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:28,520 Speaker 3: knees to gain better footing. He was prepared to fight, 133 00:08:28,880 --> 00:08:32,360 Speaker 3: or to submit, or to pray. He did not know 134 00:08:32,440 --> 00:08:35,599 Speaker 3: which would be called for first. The low growls of 135 00:08:35,640 --> 00:08:38,320 Speaker 3: the lions echoed off the walls of the den. The 136 00:08:38,400 --> 00:08:41,800 Speaker 3: sound rumbled the earth. He could feel their roars in 137 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:45,480 Speaker 3: his chest. Daniel began to see shapes against the walls 138 00:08:45,480 --> 00:08:49,040 Speaker 3: around him. Finally, his eyes were adjusting to the light. 139 00:08:49,760 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 3: The shadows moved around him. Daniel shifted to the left 140 00:08:53,280 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 3: and then to the right. The lions were surrounding him. 141 00:08:56,600 --> 00:08:59,440 Speaker 3: Daniel prayed to the Lord in his mind. He knew 142 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:02,720 Speaker 3: that any word could set the lions pouncing. He looked 143 00:09:02,760 --> 00:09:04,920 Speaker 3: to his left and saw the largest of the lions 144 00:09:04,920 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 3: crouching next to him. It was getting ready to pounce 145 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:11,600 Speaker 3: as its hind legs bent back like a spring. A 146 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:15,440 Speaker 3: bright light broke through the darkness. It was blinding, and 147 00:09:15,520 --> 00:09:18,240 Speaker 3: Daniel could hear the painful roars of the lions scraping 148 00:09:18,240 --> 00:09:21,880 Speaker 3: back against the wall. Daniel fell to his knees, barely 149 00:09:21,920 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 3: able to see what was happening. The darkness was cut 150 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 3: in half with light, like a sword through flesh, and 151 00:09:27,840 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 3: Daniel saw each lion cowering in fear. The lions hissed 152 00:09:32,360 --> 00:09:35,000 Speaker 3: and roared at the light, but were soon quieted as 153 00:09:35,040 --> 00:09:38,920 Speaker 3: their jaws were forced to shut. Then, in an instant, 154 00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:43,520 Speaker 3: the light vanished. All returned to darkness, and Daniel sat 155 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:45,959 Speaker 3: in the middle of the den praying to the Lord. 156 00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 3: It was still night and the sun was a few 157 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:53,720 Speaker 3: hours from rising. King Darius paced his room, worrying over Daniel. 158 00:09:54,440 --> 00:09:57,680 Speaker 3: He did not eat or sleep all night. Instead, he 159 00:09:57,760 --> 00:10:00,760 Speaker 3: set his mind on the welfare of his friend. He 160 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,040 Speaker 3: waited for the light to break so we could roll 161 00:10:03,080 --> 00:10:05,520 Speaker 3: away the stone of the den. As soon as the 162 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:08,560 Speaker 3: light touched the bottom of the horizon, Darius put on 163 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:11,880 Speaker 3: his clothes and rushed to the den. He and all 164 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 3: the men raced together and pulled away the stone. All 165 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,480 Speaker 3: was silent. Darius approached the entrance to the den. He 166 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:23,640 Speaker 3: looked down and listened for any sound. He could hear nothing. 167 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:28,960 Speaker 3: He became worried and shouted, Daniel, servant of the Living God, 168 00:10:29,520 --> 00:10:33,160 Speaker 3: has your God delivered you from the lions. There was 169 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:37,760 Speaker 3: a long pause. Darius's heart was beating fast. Then a 170 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:42,360 Speaker 3: small voice echoed up to the entrance. O King live forever. 171 00:10:42,960 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 3: Of course, I am safe, for I was blameless. My 172 00:10:46,400 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 3: Lord upheld me and shut the mouths of lions. Darius 173 00:10:51,120 --> 00:10:53,440 Speaker 3: let out a sigh of relief and ordered his men 174 00:10:53,480 --> 00:10:55,679 Speaker 3: to send a rope to bring him up from the den. 175 00:10:56,400 --> 00:10:59,600 Speaker 3: Daniel was brought back into the light. The king embraced 176 00:10:59,640 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 3: him and then looked back at the men who had 177 00:11:01,760 --> 00:11:06,719 Speaker 3: accused Daniel. The King's rage burned against them. Immediately they 178 00:11:06,720 --> 00:11:10,000 Speaker 3: were taken. The gods grabbed them and threw them into 179 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 3: the lion's den. It took no time at all for 180 00:11:12,679 --> 00:11:15,560 Speaker 3: the lions to pounce and tear them in men from mouth. 181 00:11:16,240 --> 00:11:19,200 Speaker 3: Their cries burst through the whole of the den. The 182 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 3: sound of ripping flesh and bloody screams filled the air 183 00:11:22,640 --> 00:11:27,040 Speaker 3: for a moment, and all was silent again. Darius praised 184 00:11:27,160 --> 00:11:30,839 Speaker 3: Daniel and his God. He was another king that was 185 00:11:30,920 --> 00:11:34,320 Speaker 3: humbled by the favor of God on a faithful servant. 186 00:11:37,960 --> 00:11:41,040 Speaker 4: We begin today's reading with King Darius as ruler in 187 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:45,679 Speaker 4: the land. Unlike Belshazar, he is thirsty for knowledge and understanding, 188 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:48,680 Speaker 4: and he's willing to lean on others for help in 189 00:11:48,760 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 4: ruling the people. God's great favor was upon Daniel, and 190 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 4: he is soon elevated to a very prominent position, So 191 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 4: prominent that he was among three of King Darius's closest advisers, 192 00:12:02,240 --> 00:12:06,199 Speaker 4: and he was a standout among those. God's spirit, an 193 00:12:06,200 --> 00:12:10,440 Speaker 4: excellent spirit, rested upon Daniel. Of course, when God is 194 00:12:10,480 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 4: at work, the enemy does not rest. It's been said, 195 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:16,679 Speaker 4: when God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, 196 00:12:16,760 --> 00:12:20,559 Speaker 4: then the devil opens the doors of hell to blast us. 197 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:26,280 Speaker 4: Daniel's success provoked jealousy among other powerful officials and While 198 00:12:26,400 --> 00:12:29,119 Speaker 4: Daniel acted in the interest of the king and ultimately 199 00:12:29,600 --> 00:12:33,320 Speaker 4: the king of glory, God's glory, others were interested in 200 00:12:33,400 --> 00:12:38,560 Speaker 4: exalting themselves, and that would require taking Daniel out. But 201 00:12:38,760 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 4: try as they might, he was above reproach. It is 202 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:45,679 Speaker 4: a powerful reminder that when we are doing God's will, 203 00:12:46,040 --> 00:12:49,640 Speaker 4: there will be attacks. When we live in integrity, we 204 00:12:49,720 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 4: must be vigilant not to give the enemy a place. 205 00:12:54,160 --> 00:12:57,800 Speaker 4: The Bible says, don't give the devil a foothold. The 206 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:00,800 Speaker 4: only thing the other officials could imagine as a weakness 207 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:04,839 Speaker 4: was Daniel's devotion to God. Can you imagine that? They 208 00:13:04,880 --> 00:13:08,480 Speaker 4: thought his weakness is his love and devotion to God. 209 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:11,719 Speaker 4: He was a man of deep faith and conviction, and 210 00:13:12,080 --> 00:13:14,880 Speaker 4: they knew he would not bow to any false God, 211 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:19,240 Speaker 4: not even a king. So they concocted a plan. It 212 00:13:19,360 --> 00:13:24,120 Speaker 4: was devious as it was clever. They appealed to darius 213 00:13:24,160 --> 00:13:27,720 Speaker 4: own pride and filled his head with flattery. He was king, 214 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:30,760 Speaker 4: after all, and kings were to be worshiped like God's. 215 00:13:31,240 --> 00:13:34,920 Speaker 4: So they proposed a thirty day celebration of his majesty, 216 00:13:35,520 --> 00:13:37,840 Speaker 4: and during that time no other God was to be 217 00:13:37,880 --> 00:13:43,160 Speaker 4: worshiped but Darius. He fell for it. So the decree 218 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:46,000 Speaker 4: was signed that anyone caught worshiping a God other than 219 00:13:46,080 --> 00:13:48,800 Speaker 4: Darius for the next thirty days would be thrown into 220 00:13:48,840 --> 00:13:52,240 Speaker 4: a den of ravenous lions. It was a death penalty 221 00:13:52,559 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 4: with no hope of escape. Now Daniel had some choices. 222 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:01,520 Speaker 4: He could have just yielded to pressure and appease the 223 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:03,840 Speaker 4: king for a month. Who would know who would care, 224 00:14:04,720 --> 00:14:07,920 Speaker 4: But this was no choice at all. He resolved long 225 00:14:07,960 --> 00:14:11,560 Speaker 4: ago to have no other gods between himself and the 226 00:14:11,640 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 4: Lord God. He could just worship God in private, hiding 227 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 4: away for safety. That was another alternative method, but that 228 00:14:19,800 --> 00:14:22,680 Speaker 4: was not good either. He was not a coward. He 229 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:26,920 Speaker 4: was courageous and feared no one. So Daniel did exactly 230 00:14:26,960 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 4: what he always did, not for show, but for prayer. 231 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:37,000 Speaker 4: He opened his windows upstairs, kneeling facing Jerusalem, worshiping God 232 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:40,840 Speaker 4: for all to see who desired to see. I wonder 233 00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 4: how many of us would have had this kind of courage, 234 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:46,120 Speaker 4: that we would dare to be a Daniel, just like 235 00:14:46,200 --> 00:14:49,440 Speaker 4: this great man, praising God, even if it might cost 236 00:14:49,520 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 4: us our life. There are countless Christians who face persecution 237 00:14:54,760 --> 00:14:58,720 Speaker 4: in the world today, and some even have to worship 238 00:14:58,760 --> 00:15:02,920 Speaker 4: God in secret, but Daniel's calling was different and unique. 239 00:15:03,240 --> 00:15:06,440 Speaker 4: He obeyed and remained faithful and fervent in his faith. 240 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 4: These evil officials got just what they wanted and quickly 241 00:15:10,920 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 4: turned him into Darius, who realized too late the big 242 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,320 Speaker 4: mistake that he had made. He knew very well that 243 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,640 Speaker 4: Daniel worshiped only God, but he was blinded by his 244 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 4: own desire for fame and fortune and adoration. A Persian 245 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:29,400 Speaker 4: law forbid even a king from changing his decree. Perhaps 246 00:15:29,440 --> 00:15:33,440 Speaker 4: you've heard of the laws of the Meeds and the Persians, 247 00:15:33,880 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 4: so there was no escape. Darius gave the order for 248 00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 4: Daniel to be thrown into the lions den, but we 249 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,400 Speaker 4: see his heart already hopeful that God would save this 250 00:15:43,560 --> 00:15:47,560 Speaker 4: innocent man. He says this to Daniel in chapter six, 251 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:52,240 Speaker 4: verse sixteen, May your God, whom you serve, continually rescue you. 252 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:58,320 Speaker 4: The king knew that only God could rescue Daniel, so 253 00:15:58,560 --> 00:16:01,440 Speaker 4: the next morning, when he checked on Daniel, the response 254 00:16:01,520 --> 00:16:04,440 Speaker 4: came from below. God had sent an angel to shut 255 00:16:04,440 --> 00:16:07,920 Speaker 4: the lion's mouths, just as his friend Shadrak Meshak and 256 00:16:07,960 --> 00:16:10,840 Speaker 4: a Bendigo had been saved and the fiery furnished years ago. 257 00:16:11,440 --> 00:16:16,040 Speaker 4: God rescued Daniel. What a miracle. So the king glorified 258 00:16:16,120 --> 00:16:20,040 Speaker 4: God and saying the praises of Yahweh. The officials who 259 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,800 Speaker 4: conspired to kill Daniel were thrown into the den of lions. 260 00:16:24,200 --> 00:16:28,320 Speaker 4: Once again, God is not mocked what a person sows, 261 00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:32,880 Speaker 4: that person reaps. These evil men sowed lies, and so 262 00:16:33,040 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 4: they lived and died by their lie. And God's greatness 263 00:16:36,600 --> 00:16:39,480 Speaker 4: was once again shown to his people and everyone and 264 00:16:39,560 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 4: all of the land. Surely God has the power to 265 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,720 Speaker 4: save his own. We live in God's protection always, and 266 00:16:46,920 --> 00:16:49,800 Speaker 4: in our next reading we'll hear how he begins to 267 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:54,320 Speaker 4: restore the exiled Israelites to their land. Dear God, we 268 00:16:54,440 --> 00:16:57,280 Speaker 4: thank you that your word says no weapon formed against 269 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:01,080 Speaker 4: us will prosper. We praise you your goodness and grace 270 00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:03,840 Speaker 4: in our lives to keep us alive until our time 271 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:07,720 Speaker 4: comes to be with you. Help us to courageously, boldly 272 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:10,919 Speaker 4: pray and serve you, and commit our lives to do 273 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:15,480 Speaker 4: everything in your will, regardless of the cost or the consequences. 274 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:20,960 Speaker 4: May we obey you and leave the consequences there, Help 275 00:17:21,040 --> 00:17:25,199 Speaker 4: us to trust you completely. Amen. Once again, thank you 276 00:17:25,240 --> 00:17:28,840 Speaker 4: for listening to today's Bible. In a year podcast. I'm 277 00:17:28,920 --> 00:17:32,399 Speaker 4: pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage you 278 00:17:32,520 --> 00:17:36,479 Speaker 4: to download thepray dot com app and make Bible study 279 00:17:36,560 --> 00:17:40,400 Speaker 4: and prayer a real priority in your life. And if 280 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 4: you are enjoying this podcast, share it with someone you know, 281 00:17:44,359 --> 00:17:47,679 Speaker 4: someone you care about, because sharing God's word has a 282 00:17:47,760 --> 00:17:51,600 Speaker 4: powerful impact upon people's lives. And if you want more 283 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 4: resources as to how you can find faith, grow in 284 00:17:55,800 --> 00:17:59,400 Speaker 4: your faith, develop as a disciple and follower of Jesus, 285 00:17:59,600 --> 00:18:02,840 Speaker 4: be sure to visit me at Jack Graham dot org. 286 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,919 Speaker 4: We have plenty of resources that will encourage you and 287 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,240 Speaker 4: equip you for life. God bless you. 288 00:18:13,600 --> 00:18:17,400 Speaker 2: This episode is sponsored by Meta Share, an innovative healthcare 289 00:18:17,440 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 2: solution for Christians to save money without sacrificing quality. 290 00:18:22,960 --> 00:18:25,320 Speaker 5: Welcome to the pre News podcast, where hope is our 291 00:18:25,359 --> 00:18:29,280 Speaker 5: only bias. Each day, we will unpack the most prominent 292 00:18:29,320 --> 00:18:32,399 Speaker 5: stories happening in the news and offer a Christian perspective. 293 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:35,560 Speaker 5: We won't shy away from the hard topics, and we 294 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:39,359 Speaker 5: won't dilute the hopeful message of Christ. This is more 295 00:18:39,440 --> 00:18:41,560 Speaker 5: than a daily brief on the news. It's a way 296 00:18:41,600 --> 00:18:46,040 Speaker 5: to be informed and transformed. Listen to pre News on 297 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:50,560 Speaker 5: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.