Author: Scott Lane

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 7:1-28 (day five) 

“In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel saw a dream and visions in his mind as he lay on his bed; then he wrote the dream down and related the following summary of it.”

Daniel is in the midst of uncertainty and disruption. He’s still in captivity. He’s still immersed in a pagan culture. There’s a new king with different priorities. His influence and credibility seemingly diminished. Might call this a time of crisis for Daniel. Yet, God demonstrates a facet of His faithfulness. He speaks to Daniel. Don’t miss this…  in the midst of uncertainty and disruption, God is speaking to Daniel. In our current climate of uncertainty and disruption, what might God be saying to you?  Will you ask Him to speak to you? Will you carve out time to listen?  Will you carve out time to process?

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of Your plans for us—
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.

And by grace we’ll stand on Your promises.
And by faith we’ll walk as You walk with us.

Speak, O Lord, till Your church is built,
And the earth is filled with Your glory.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 6:1-28 (day five) 

“and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.”

Daniel’s life of faithfully serving God was sustained by discipline. Even his enemies knew where Daniel would be and what he would be doing.  He was that disciplined. In his book “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” Donald Whitney explains that the result of discipline is freedom. An accomplished pianist can play (has the freedom to play) any piece of music because they have spent countless hours in disciplined practice and study. Same is true in the Christian life.

Daniel’s discipline provided structure and substance that created devotion and determination for serving God.  In Daniel’s life his freedom (even in captivity) looked like courage, patience, wisdom, and insight.  Daniel found strength, peace, and the voice of God in his discipline.

In these days that seem so disrupted and unpredictable, maybe we can find the same freedoms that Daniel had (even in Stay Home Work Safe). Let’s begin rhythms of prayer and devotions during this COVID crisis. Let’s find freedom to faithfully serve God and others.  May our discipline lead to  freedom.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 5:1-31 (day five)

“Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from them. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.”

Belshazzar commits a sin that is not uncommon these days- idolatry. There was the obvious idolatry (misusing holy vessels) and there was subtle idolatry too. Belshazzar doesn’t deny the existence of Yahweh, but in using the gold vessels to drink to the Babylonian gods, he declares Yahweh subservient to the Babylonian gods.

We have the same tendency in 2020. We acknowledge/worship God on Sunday’s, yet the rest of the week we exalt the gods of sports, money, family, and pleasure- placing God alongside these other things. God has harsh words for those that do this… ““I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” Isaiah‬ ‭42:8

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 4:1-37 (day five) 

“Then Daniel (also called Belteshazzar) was greatly perplexed for a time, and his thoughts terrified him.”

We have seen (in previous chapters) Daniel’s devotion to God bear the fruit of courage, trust, discipline, and perseverance. In chapter 4 we see another evidence of a vibrant relationship with God- love. It is Daniel’s love for Nebuchadnezzar that caused the emotions of being perplexed and terrified. I don’t think he was terrified of the king. I think he was terrified for the king. It was love for the king that motivated Daniel to tell him the truth about his dream- hoping the king would repent and avoid consequences. It was Daniel’s love for God that fostered a genuine love and concern for the  king (the king even recognizes it).

We would do well to have that same kind of love and regard for those who don’t have a relationship with God through Christ, even if they mistreat us or others.  This goes for our leaders (no matter how good or bad we think they are). We should pray for them. We should care about their souls and their circumstances.

Loving God empowers us to love others.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 3:1-30 (day five)  

“If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” 

This bold and courageous declaration is a culmination of years of faithfulness and discipline by the three young Hebrews. God had been equipping and preparing them for this moment.  God had used Daniel as an influence and example. God had given them other experiences that demonstrated His power and faithfulness. So, when the crucial moment comes, they continue to serve and honor God just like they have been doing all along. A regular rhythm of loyalty to God and a regular conviction of glorifying Him above all others.  Think about David and Goliath.  Same pattern… God had been preparing David for that moment as far back as in the fields where he protected sheep with his sling. David remained faithful and humble.  The three young Jews remained faithful and humble. As we serve and follow Christ with faithfulness and humility, part of God’s work in our lives is preparing and equipping us for what lies ahead. Do you trust Him to do that?

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 2:31-49 (day five) 

“This was the dream; now we will tell its interpretation before the king.”

Daniel is very intentional about giving God credit and glory for the explanation and interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. By title and by character, Daniel describes the Living God to the king. Yet, it’s the plural pronoun that caught my eye this week- WE.  Daniel declares that a vibrant relationship with God and  joining Him in His work and activity is a partnership. We. Us. Ours.  There is activity and accountability for both man and God.

Applying a farming metaphor from Jerry Bridges to the life of Daniel (descriptive of this partnership), “The farmer (Daniel) cannot do what God must do, and God will not do what the farmer (Daniel) should do.  Daniel demonstrates trust, dependence, faithfulness, and humility.  And he says, “WE will interpret the dream”.  As you pray, ask God “What can/What will WE do together?”

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 2:1-30 (day five)  

“so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.”

Daniel continues to demonstrate the presence of God in his actions and reactions. The way he speaks to Arioch is remarkable- tact, faith, wisdom, and courage. All are indications that God is near and helping Daniel.

However, the thing that jumped off the page to me was Daniel also prayed for the Babylonian wise men. Facing execution with his close friends, they also prayed for the lost and pagan wise men. His heart and concern for them at this intense moment is astounding.  Made me wonder, “Do our prayers include the names and welfare of others?”  “Even rivals and enemies?”  I believe that God’s wisdom and peace gave Daniel the clarity of thought and purpose to pray for those other men too. May our walk with the Lord help us do the same.

Re:Verse passage – Daniel 1:1-21 (day five)

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah”

There is an interesting background to where we pick up Daniel’s story (chapter 1). Daniel is around 16 (3rd year in reign of king Jehoiakim) when he is taken captive. Scholars use this information to place the birth of Daniel around 622 BC. This is important because around this same time, king Josiah begins to repair and restore the temple. Perhaps the most significant result was the discovery of the Word of God that was lost and probably forgotten. Josiah then instructs and encourages the reading and teaching of God’s Word. So, Daniel grows up in a community and context of regular exposure to God’s Word.  Worship, Study, Ceremony.
Is it any coincidence that later on in life (age 16) he has courage and conviction to honor and serve God above any other authority.

Wonder where the amazing wisdom and insight comes from? (God’s Word)  Wonder where peace in the midst of persecution and dysfunction comes from? (God’s Word)

Who wants and needs the kind of character and steadfast faith we see Daniel display in chapter 1?  Not just kids, but teens and adults also need regular encounters with God’s Word individually and in community.

So, Will you gather with a community of believers this Sunday to encounter and learn God’s Word?  The result could be life giving!