1 Kings 2:1-9 - Guidance to Solomon

1 Kings 2:1-9

"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me, saying, 'If your sons are careful of their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.'" (verse 4)

Message: Guidance to Solomon

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: David’s time on earth is coming to an end. He knows this. He has a word for Solomon. David charges Solomon to "be strong...and show yourself a man." The charge is to be strong spiritually, militarily, and morally. It is also a charge to leadership, integrity, and faithfulness to God's law. Simple words but powerful words. 

Verse 3

"And keep the charge of the Lord your God" - remain faithful to God and remember the covenant relationship we have with God. "Walk in His ways" - have a close relationship with God. "keep His statutes, His commandments, His ordinances, and His testimonies" - the laws of God are comprehensive. They are specific laws and there are generally laws of God. The idea here is God permeates our entire lives, all the decisions we make and the way in which we live. "as written in the Law of Moses" - scripture stands the test of time; our faith is meant to continue from the past to the present and to the future. There is a continuity to God's message for His people. "that you may succeed in all that you do and wherever you turn" - there is well-being and fulfillment in our life; as we are faithful to God's commands good things happen. 

Verse 4

"so that the Lord may carry out His promise which He spoke concerning me" - this is the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16); God makes a promise to His people and He fulfills it. But we also in return promise to remain faithful to His promises, walk in his ways, keep his statutes. It is important to keep God's blessings. I have noticed in my frequent conversations with people in Africa, it is very hard for them at times to admit there waywardness to God's ways. They obviously take it very serious to stay close to God's laws and His ways. I wonder if at times, I find it too easy to not stay close to God and His ways. "if your sons are careful of their way..." - that word careful is a word I hold onto and reminds me continually of how important it is to be intentional, not frivolous, but to take God's words to heart in our lives. And this is the person David charges Solomon to be. It is not an option. It is not a choice. It is the way we are supposed to be in life. 

It almost seems that David is asking Solomon to be a greater person than he was. David struggled with some passivity at times. He seems to charge Solomon to not be this way. In verse 5, he brings up Joab and the way in which he carried things out - "He also shed the blood of war in peace." Joab's acts were more vengeance rather than justice. Joab however was not a worthless man. At times he encourages faithfulness to God, but our faithfulness is not a part-time thing. But Solomon is to be different. He is to be a man of God all of the time. And Joab also is to receive some sort of justice - "do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace." 

David also calls attention to the "sons of Barzillai" for their kindness to David during Absalom's rebellion. And despite Shimei cursing him he swore to not put him to death, God will not act vengeance on him. 

Thus, David gives guidance to Solomon. This is a great charge to Solomon. And a great charge to me, to remain faithful and a great charge for me to pass onto my children. 

Summary: David concludes his life by giving a great charge to Solomon to follow God, walk in His ways, and carry on the promise God made to David - to remain faithful. 

Promise: Seek to obey the Lord in all I do. 

Prayer: Lord, I have messed up many times in my life, but I pray that I can go forward and be the best person possible for you. I want to stay faithful to your promises and help those that are in need. I pray also for my children and those that come after me. I pray for Derek Lord that he lives a life pleasing to You. He has a good heart. Help him to shine. Thank you for Tyson's great love and his tenderness for others and faithfulness. You have made all my children to be great friends. Thank you for Megan's hard work and her sacrificial ways to her family. She works hard for you. My wife models this well for them and yet has a joy and love for life that I admire and am so thankful to have near me. Lord, protect people and protect those you place in my path. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 11:3 - Walking with Integrity

Proverbs 11:3

The integrity of the upright will guide them,

But the falseness of the treacherous will destroy them. 

Message: Walking with Integrity

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: Last lesson mentioned pride for the first time since starting in Chapter 10 and today this verses mention 'them.' Contrasts continue - wicked and upright. The key thought here is integrity contrasted with falseness. 

The person with integrity is honest and has strong moral character - both in public and private. This is a person that walks the talk in front of others and behind closed doors. 

Some of the themes of this verse found in commentaries: 

• Fraudulent persons (literally, those who “cover” a matter up) pervert the truth, thereby ruining their own characters (inasmuch as in time they can hardly distinguish right from wrong), and losing the favor of Almighty God. (Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers)
• An honest man's principles are fixed, therefore his way is plain. (Matthew Henry)
• Lowly souls become full of wisdom as the low place becomes full of water. (Rabbinic paraphrase as cited by Albert Barnes)
• The upright's sincere obedience to God’s laws shall keep them from crooked and dangerous courses, and lead them in a right and safe way. The wicked devices by which they design and expect to secure themselves, shall be the instrument of their destruction. (Matthew Poole's Commentary)

On Sunday, the Sunday School teacher reviewed the life of Solomon. 700 wives and 300 concubines is what stands out. And yet he supports all of those women. Hard to imagine he sees all of those women and yet he provides for them. Maybe it is better than we think. I asked someone after the class if Solomon was saved and he thought he had a perspective that God must be involved in life. Just not sure I see a personal devotion from him, but he's probably right. 

From this text, the words seem obvious. Live in an upright manner, being a person of integrity and you will be guided by good, versus the fraudulent one's who lose favor with God and through their coverup get to a point of not being able to distinguish right and wrong. 

Just as valleys (low places) receive and hold water, humble hearts (lowly souls) receive and hold wisdom. 

Not sure if anyone decides to be wicked, but their ways of being selfish result in their destruction. Kind of a hard lesson here today. 

Prayer: O God, you are good and full of wisdom. Give me understanding of this verse and help it to be a guide to my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 7:21-27 - The Gatekeeper of Death

Proverbs 7:21-27
With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him.
Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as fetters to the discipline of a fool,
Until an arrow pierces through his liver; as a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it his life.

Now therefore, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth.
Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths.
For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain.
Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

Message:  The Gatekeeper of Death

Time: King Solomon is the principal writer of Proverbs. Solomon's proverbs were penned around 900 B.C. In the Book of Proverbs, Solomon reveals the mind of God in matters high and lofty and in common, ordinary, everyday situations, too. It appears that no topic escaped King Solomon's attention. Matters pertaining to personal conduct, sexual relations, business, wealth, charity, ambition, discipline, debt, child-rearing, character, alcohol, politics, revenge, and godliness are among the many topics covered in this rich collection of wise sayings.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Background
For me, the crux of the first 20 verses of Proverbs 7 is the pleading from a father to his son to treasure the commandments that he is passing along. Treasure the words of the sage, of the Father God. Stay close to them. Adhere to  them in your life, for only then will you be able to withstand the temptations that will be present in this life. And temptations will be many. But, the sexual temptations, or the carrying away of ourselves to abandon our principles will be the strongest. We can't even give them a moment. The door opens when we allow ourselves to be in a dangerous environment. For the young boy, it is walking down the road of the adulteress, where she lives. There are other ways to get to our destination, so we should not even go there. 

The Problem
These remaining verses catapult the encounter and we get to witness first hand what is in store for the person that gets pulled away. I must admit, as a man, these verses resonate with me because I am pulled away too easily, it would seem. The clothing manufacturers have continued to make clothing that simply show off too much of a woman. I struggle with my eyes and it is a struggle when people are bending over in front of you or wearing short dresses. I'm captivated by my wife, but would prefer it in the privacy of my own home. It's really a horrible thing for the man to live with for it is everywhere. And the phone makes it worse. It is too easily accessible. Thus, the title of this message: the gatekeeper of death.

Studying this passage
Verse 21 begins "with her many persuasions." Again, these to me are not just verbal, but they are visual persuasions. They could be a glance, an alluring look, but most likely they are the way a person carries oneself. 'Many persuasions' also speaks to the many different ways we are confronted with this. The temptation now shows itself in so many different ways. But also in these verses is the inference that the person is reluctant because "she entices" and "she seduces." Thus, even in these verses, one could apply I Corinthians 10:13 in that there is a way out when the temptation presents itself.

And then the striking words of verse 22 "suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to slaughter." The road to death is set. The man is walking it. He is captivated, and yet, his life will never be the same. The visual expression of an ox going to slaughter is such an assault; it is such a picture of what the sin does to us. It because a drug that overtakes all of our senses. The ox is obviously not realizing his destination. The ox is being led somewhere that it is thought will only yield good outcomes. The "slaughter" represents the end, not the journey. But "he does not know it is his life." He is consumed with the moment, not the end. The consequences or results of this act are not overtaken by the momentary high.

And so the chapter ends the way it begins. There are words from the wise one to the son, "Listen to me" and "pay attention." Here is the reason: "Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways" and "do not stray into her paths." In these words is the idea I think of 1 Corinthians 10:13 and it is "don't go there." Don't put yourself in a position that is hard to come back from. Once the ox is on the way to the slaughter, it is too late. I must think about this in my life. For instance, I just realized that when I am down on life, or angry, then it is not good to have my phone with me and so, like going to bed - don't bring it to bed. Leave it in the other room. 

At the end of this passage is more ammunition. It is the father building the case. He hopes that the son would simply listen to his words. He would hope that this is compelling enough. But, he also then shows the son the results of the sinful lifestyle. This paints the picture of any addiction in our lives.

For many are the victims she has cast down, 
and numerous are all her slain.
Her house is the way to Sheol, 
descending to the chambers of death.

The language is final. They are victims. They are numerous. This is a problem many have. They are slain - again death. Her house is on the trek to death. Her house is lower than any person really wants to go. It should be clear, but instead deception has taken over. 

Promise: The foolish young man who heeds the call of the adulteress will find nothing but destruction in her arms.

Prayer: Oh Lord, I need help in this. I am not strong. I am too easily lured away. Once the sin starts, it just continues to be a problem. I'm embarrassed as to what this sin has done to me over the years. To think that I can be so easily enticed. Lord, place a hedge around me. I need your protection. Give me strength. Give me rest today. Lord, I want to be free. I hate the feeling of being a slave to it. I want to follow you. Help me Lord. 

Psalm 101 - Godly Resolve

Psalm 101
¹ I will sing of lovingkindness and justice,
To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
² I will give heed to the blameless way.
When will You come to me?
I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.
³ I will set no worthless thing before my eyes;
I hate the work of those who fall away;
It shall not fasten its grip on me.
⁴ A perverse heart shall depart from me;
I will know no evil.
⁵ Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will destroy;
No one who has a haughty look and an arrogant heart will I endure.

⁶ My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me;
He who walks in a blameless way is the one who will minister to me.
⁷ He who practices deceit shall not dwell within my house;
He who speaks falsehood shall not maintain his position before me.
⁸ Every morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land,
So as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity.

Message: Godly Resolve

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: From Joseph Benson -

I will praise thee, O Lord, as for all thy other excellences, so particularly for those two royal perfections of mercy or lovingkindness and justice, or judgment, which thou hast so eminently discovered in the government of the world, and of thy people Israel; and I will make it my care to imitate thee, as in other things, so especially in these virtues, which are so necessary for the discharge of my trust, and the good government of thy and my people.

I will give heed to the blameless way — I will manage my affairs with wisdom and integrity; which are the two chief qualifications requisite for all men, and peculiarly necessary in princes, whose example is wont to have great influence on the morals of their people, and who can with no dignity nor consistency punish the crimes of others, if they be guilty of the same crimes themselves. When will you come to Me? — And be with me to assist me to execute this my purpose. I will walk within my house — I will conduct myself in my family and court, as well as in my public administration of the affairs of my kingdom, with the integrity of my heart — Sincerely intending and desiring to please and glorify God, and to set before the members of my family, and all my subjects, an example worthy of their imitation.  

I will set no worthless thing before mine eyes — If any ungodly or unjust thing be suggested to me, whatsoever specious pretenses it may be covered with, as some reason of state or worldly advantage, I will cast it out of my mind and thoughts with abhorrence, so far will I be from putting it in execution. I hate the work of those that fall away — From God, and from his laws. It shall not fasten its grip on me — I will neither imitate nor endure such works nor such workers.

A perverse heart — or a man of a corrupt mind and wicked life; shall depart from me — Shall be turned out of my court, lest he should infect the rest of my family, or be injurious, or an occasion of offence to my people. I will not know no evil — I will not own nor countenance such a one, but will keep all such at a distance.

Whoever secretly slanders his brother — Such as by secret and false information's, and accusations of others, seek to gain my favor, and to advance themselves by the ruin of others; him will I destroy — From my family and court. No one has a haughty look and an arrogant look — Those who think highly of themselves, and look down with contempt upon others, or treat them with insolence; or, whose insatiable covetousness and ambition make them study their own advancement more than the public good; will I endure — In my house nor among my servants.

My eyes shall be upon the faithful — I will endeavor to find out, and will favor and encourage, men of truth, justice, and integrity, men of religion and virtue, who will be faithful, first to God, and then to me and to my people; that they may dwell with me — or converse with me, in my house, and counsels, and public administrations. These he would use as his familiars and friends, employ them in the domestic services of his palace, and advance them to public offices and stations in his kingdom. He who walks in a blameless way — In the way of God’s precepts, which are pure and perfect; is the one who will minister to me — In domestic and public employments.
 
He who practices deceit — That uses any frauds or subtle artifice to deceive, abuse, or wrong any of my people; shall not dwell within my house — Though he may insinuate himself into my family, yet, as soon as he is discovered, he shall be turned out of it. He who speaks falsehood — Either to defend and excuse the guilty, or to betray the innocent; shall not maintain his position before me — I will certainly and immediately banish him from my presence.

Every morning I will early destroy all the wicked of the land— That is, all that are discovered and convicted; the law shall have its course against them; and incorrigible offenders shall suffer as it directs. So as to cut off from the city of the Lord all those who do iniquity — “I will use my utmost diligence to reform the whole nation; but especially the place of my peculiar residence, which ought to be an example to the rest of my kingdom: taking care that all offenders be severely punished in the courts of justice; and, if there be no other remedy, cutting off those evil members, who have got an incurable habit of acting wickedly.”  

Promise: Remember what Christ has done and be empowered by thankfulness to stand firm against sin.

Job 31 - Job's Final Defense

Job 31:23
“For calamity from God is a terror to me,
And because of His majesty I can do nothing.

Message: Job's Final Defense

Time: The time of Job is unclear and commonly debated. Often the language of the book can give clues. It seems to be that Job had a lifespan of close to 200 years as Job 42:16 says he lived 140 years after the events in the book.

What the Lord is Saying:

The Bible is often a book of repeats. There are core messages that basically are repeated throughout this book. 

In this chapter 31 Job asserts his integrity. 

Chastity
Verse 1 is a verse that is a good reminder that I have appreciated at various times in my life. I have made a covenant with my eyes; How then could I gaze at a virgin? The meaning of this verse is great because Job states that he has made a covenant with his eyes. He remarks that he has purposed to lead a pure life and therefore, it is impossible that he could gaze at another woman. Like, how could he? 

Job then asserts that how can we be surprised with God's wrath when our actions or our choices are not for him. Thus, what he has done is guard himself from impurity or sin. Does He not see my ways and number all my steps?(Verse 4). God sees all. How is that we think we can live our lives without surrendering daily to the Lord. 

A sincere, upright, and honest life
Job states that if he lived a life in an improper manner then he did in fact deserve God's judgment. He speaks at first of falsehood or vanity. To live a life of falsehood is to misrepresent yourself. It is to make yourself out to be something that you are not. It is not to speak the truth. Or it is living a life of deception. When I see someone getting ready to experience calamity, do I help bring it to light. Am I a person that often will wrongly shine a spotlight on other people's shortcomings? 

If I have acted in this manner then God has every right to weigh me with accurate scales which is what verse 6 says, "Let him weigh me with accurate scales." Let God accurately look at my character and treat me according to my ways. If I act in improper ways then I should receive a consequence. Why should I expect my harvest to yield produce if I have spent my time sowing seeds of selfishness. Man is so quick to thank God for his blessings but shouldn't we do the same in regards to calamity. 

Verse 1 speaks of gazing at a virgin while verse 9 speaks of being enticed by a woman: If my heart has been enticed by a woman.  The sin here is adultery. If Job acts in that way, then he states that his wife would then be allowed to go after someone else or sleep with someone else as it says may my wife grind for another. If a man chooses another woman, then he should expect his wife to do the same. The wife would then became a servant of another man. The fire of adultery burns the house down as it would uproot all my increase.

Treated his servants in an upright manner
Job switches to another subject and expresses that he has to be a good leader. What happens when someone files a claim against him? What happens when someone asserts that we have done something wrong? What happens when someone calls us into question? How do we respond? His point is that he needs to respond in an upright manner and not simply assert his position. And then he asks what will happen when the Lord questions him. The point I think is that we need to honestly use this time to look at ourselves in the mirror and see that there may be something about us that needs to be changed. Verse 13 and 14 says, If I have despised the claim of my male or female slaves when they filed a complaint against me, What then could I do when God arises?

Kindness to the Poor and Providing for the Poor
There are actually two thoughts here that Job puts forth. It seems often that all I think I need to do for the poor is write them a check and send in a little money, but Job first states that our actions toward them are to be actions of care an concern. He says in verse 16, if I have kept the poor from their desire. Have I frustrated their hopes? Have I disappointed their expectations? 

This is a tough application. There are poor all around us and how do I act toward them as they ask for money on the street corner. Do I take time to really consider them? Or do I look for a quick out? Job thought of this as supremely important. It says, "If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing,or that the needy had no covering." I do know we give our old clothes and things to the poor. I do know I give counsel to the needy often through GMO. I guess in all of life I could always do more. 

He mentions dire consequence if he doesn't act correctly. In verse 22, Let my shoulder fall from the socket. And then in verse 24 he asks whether his confidence instead lies in his money -- “If I have put my confidence in gold, and called fine gold my trust, if I have gloated because my wealth was great, and because my hand had secured so much." This is a danger in life to put our confidence instead in what we have instead of in the Lord. It's one thing to say our allegiance is in God, but how do we show this through our actions. 

Properly treating those who injure us
Do I wish injury or something bad to happen to others? More often than not, I do not, for those that I like. But, what about those that I don't like? Or those that I feel like in one way or another I am in competition with? I sense at times, that I unfortunately want their demise. It is a sad reality. Here Job says he has not been this way. In verse 29 - Have I rejoiced at the extinction of my enemy, or exulted when evil befell him? No, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking for his life in a curse. This is the nature of true faith, of true religion, as Albert Barnes states: It controls the heart, represses the angry and revengeful feelings, and creates in the soul an earnest desire for the happiness even of those who injure us.

Conclusion
The concluding verses of this chapter have been hotly debated over the years regarding their true meaning, according to Albert Barnes. The sentiment though is one of Job simply stating that he has tried to be a hospitable person to his neighbor and has not wished injury of them. And he does this all for His Almighty God.  
 
Promise: Job is proclaiming once again an important truth and that is his present calamity is not the result of past sin. He has lived a blameless life and his present situation is not because he has done something wrong. At times, I need to act like this and not be so quick to admit fault. I need to be confident in who I am in Christ and what I have done. I am a sinner and often do things out of that sinful nature, but I need to remember that God is working in me and many times His good ways are shining through my life.

Job 2 - Job's Trials Intensify

Job 2
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. ² The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” ³ The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” ⁴ Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. ⁵ However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” ⁶ So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”
⁷ Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. ⁸ And he took a potsherd to scrape himself while he was sitting among the ashes.
⁹ Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” ¹⁰ But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
¹¹ Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. ¹² When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. ¹³ Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.


Message: Job's Trials Intensify

Time: The time of Job is unclear and commonly debated. Often the language of the book can give clues. It seems to be that Job had a lifespan of close to 200 years as Job 42:16 says he lived 140 years after the events in the book.

What the Lord is Saying:

You would think the last chapter's events were enough, losing your children and all your possessions, but now once again, Satan is roaming around and the Lord trusts his children. The big line in this passage is "Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity." This verse is a great reminder and one that I just don't think we really comprehend. I was thinking about this yesterday as I was praying for my kids and adversities I see them going through. I know Megan is dealing with a thorn in the flesh in her life, but I am thankful that she is wanting to follow God all her days. 

I also read through and receive prayer request after prayer request and every request is really "get me out of the tough life and get me into the good life." It is obviously normal to request this in life because there is always something we feel like we need in order to make better. As I read through the Psalms the overriding message is for a clean heart, to be free from the grip of enemies in our lives, and to live a life of obedience with God our father. God is more concerned about our heart than our wallet. 

Even with Job here is the reality that all of his comforts and possessions and even his health can be taken away, but he still has his relationship with God. His strength is still in the Lord. My friend always reminds me of this. I've watched him go through bad cancer this past year and through it all he remains committed to God. 

Job had integrity. He was whole and undivided. His allegiance was to God. He had strong moral principles. Those attributes didn't change despite his circumstances. 

I need to work on this in my life. There is just a general desire to think that everything in life should be good and adversities should be minimized.

Promise: Suffering is a part of life and we need to use that time to think about what God is teaching us.

Daniel 6

Message: Integrity in the Life of Daniel

Time: Darius the Mede beginning his reign (just as Nebuchadnezzar's dream predicted). Darius ruled from 539-525BC. Judah's 70 years of captivity ended in 539BC.

What the Lord is Saying: Darius the Mede>>3 administrators (Daniel one of them)>>High Officers>>120 provinces

Daniel set himself apart from the other 2 administrators. The king planned to have Daniel be over the entire empire. This made the other administrators and high offers suspicious of Daniel and they wanted to find some fault in him, but found nothing. He was (1) faithful, (2) always responsible and (3) completely trustworthy. So, they sought to assault his faith. So they proposed a law to King Darius that for 30 days no one can pray to any other but Darius. If they disobey, those person(s) will be thrown into the den of lions.

Daniel made no change in his life, continuing to pray 3 times a day (with the windows open). The officials found and told the King. The king wanted to find a way to excuse or save Daniel from this judgment. But he couldn't go back on his signed word. Daniel was thrown into the den of lions with the king offering, "May your God, whom you serve faithfully, rescue you." A stone was placed over the mouth of the den. The king left and fasted, refusing his usual evening of entertainment.

The King returned the next morning to the lions' den calling out to Daniel, asking him if his God had rescued him. Daniel responded, "Long live the king!. God sent angels to shut the lions' mouths. I have been found innocent (no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus). He was removed from the den while the officials that had snagged him were thrown in with their wives and children. The lions tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

The King sent forth a message throughout his kingdom that God will endure forever: His kingdom will never be destroyed; his rule will never end; he will rescue and save his people; he will perform signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; He has rescued Daniel.

So Daniel prospered.


Promise: Leaders may change, but God's word and his promise to His people never changes.

This chapter's significance chronicles the consistency of Daniel. He did not go to pray 3 times a day because of the announcement that men could only pray to King Darius, but rather he went to pray 3 times a day because this was his normal daily action. Our lives should be lived in consistency. If we are living right and honoring God daily in our lives, then when things happen beyond our control, it is not as if we must then make a charge and attack these seemingly obstacles, but rather we must remain steady and continue in the discipline of the Lord.

Unfortunately, our lives don't often mirror this. When 9/11 occurred, the following Sunday was high attendance Sunday. Death and destruction often move us to suddenly get holy. But, our devotion should remain steady through any time, good or bad, happy or sad, rich or poor.