Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:4.
Daniel, the prime minister of the greatest of earthly kingdoms, was at the same time a prophet of God, receiving the light of heavenly inspiration. A man of like passions as ourselves, the pen of inspiration describes him as without fault. His business transactions, when subjected to the closest scrutiny of his enemies, were found to be without one flaw. He was an example of what every businessman may become when his heart is converted and consecrated, and when his motives are right in the sight of God….
Unwavering in his allegiance to God, unyielding in his mastery of self, Daniel, by his noble dignity and unswerving integrity, while yet a young man, won the “favor and tender love” of the heathen officer in whose charge he had been placed…. He rose speedily to the position of prime minister of the kingdom of Babylon. Through the reign of successive monarchs, the downfall of the nation, and the establishment of another world empire, such were his wisdom and statesmanship, so perfect his tact, his courtesy, his genuine goodness of heart, his fidelity to principle, that even his enemies were forced to the confession that “they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful.”
Honored by men with the responsibilities of state and with the secrets of kingdoms bearing universal sway, Daniel was honored by God as His ambassador, and was given many revelations of the mysteries of ages to come. His wonderful prophecies, as recorded by him in chapters 7 to 12 of the book bearing his name, were not fully understood even by the prophet himself; but before his life labors closed, he was given the blessed assurance that “at the end of the days”—in the closing period of this world’s history—he would again be permitted to stand in his lot and place….
We may, like Daniel and his fellows, live for that which is true and noble and enduring. And learning in this life the principles of the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, … we may be prepared at His coming to enter with Him into its possession.
Conflict and Courage p. 254
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Bruce who just learned that he has prostate cancer. Dahlia
—–There is a job opening where my brother-in-law and family would like to relocate. The problem is that his boss has not signed a transfer in the past. Please pray that she or the district manager will sign the transfer and if it is God’s will that they move there, he will get the job. RJ
—–Please pray for my grandson. He is 16 years old, and has run away from home. He is still texting his mom, but won’t tell her where he is. Says he’s never coming back. My heart is so worried, as is his family. Prayers needed desperately. Janet
—–Please pray for my husband’s sister-in-law, Lynn, for healing she broke her foot last Friday. Roberta
—–Please join me in praying for a 10 year precious girl, Keira, who is battling cancer! I just found out today that she has lost the use of her legs. Louise
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Dear Friends,
When I was four years old, someone my mother worked with gave me her full-sized bicycle. My mother, my Auntie Joyce, and I walked to the lady’s house to get it. Of course, it was way too big for me, but I was excited. They set me on the seat, each got on a side, and pushed the bike home. Six years passed before I was able to ride that large, heavy bike. What freedom it gave me!
One day, I was riding my bike down the steep hill next to the apartment where we lived. At the bottom of the hill, the alley turned sharply to the left. I loved to coast down that steep hill, turn the corner, and “sail” down the alley at full speed and would do it over and over. Somehow, I misjudged and hit the very tip of the triangular curb at the turn. I flew one way and my bike flew about thirty feet the other way. I had been going very fast. Because it was an alley, I laid on the pavement for two hours before anyone discovered me. My mother was called and she and my step-dad loaded me into the car and took me to the hospital. I had broken my right leg in five places as well as dislocating my ankle and was in the hospital for the next eleven days. It was about four months before I could finally get the cast off. How I hated that cast! It went from my toes to my hip and was very heavy and cumbersome. I looked forward with great anticipation to the day I would be rid of it.
I had expected that as soon as the cast was off, I would be walking and riding my bike again without any problems. How surprised I was when I looked at my leg. Through lack of use, it had become very weak and yellow, and unusable. The doctor told me to put my foot on the floor. I was able to do that, because gravity took over. I tried to take a step, but my brain couldn’t remember how. I was shocked! He wasn’t. With physical therapy, it was not too long before my brain remembered to give my leg the right signals, but it took several months before my right leg was as strong as the other.
So it is in our spiritual life. Without the daily communion with our Dear Heavenly Father, we lose much spiritually. Without daily Bible study, we soon forget what we once knew. Paul advises, “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thes 5:17 How vital this is in our walk with God. As we commune with our Great Creator and Redeemer, the things around us lose their hold upon us. Our eyes are anointed with Heavenly eye salve, and we see things in their proper perspective. < Rev 3:18 >
Our Dear Saviour urges us, “Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” Luke 21:36 Jesus, Himself, felt the need of prayer. The Scripture tells us, “And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” Luke 6:12 Think of it! The Son of God often prayed all night, yet, how often we go for hours without even a thought Heavenward. If He felt the need to pray, how much more should we.
How vital it is to get spiritual exercise by studying the Word of God. Jesus, when tempted by the devil, used Scripture to combat his temptations. “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.” Matt 4:2-11
How important it is to know the Holy Scriptures. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb 4:12 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. Ps 119:9-12
May we, each day, “study to show approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we constantly commune with our Loving Redeemer throughout the day, as we work, as we play, no matter what we are doing or where we are going. May we “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh a reason of the hope that is in with meekness and fear.” <1 Peter 3:15> Amen.
Rose