Give Thanks (As Always)
Read: Daniel 6:1-13 He . . . prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (v. 10) Daniel must have wondered when he might catch a break. Taken captive as a young man, his adult life was spent in the service of pagan emperors. He repeatedly faced tests of his faith, […]
The Writing on the Wall
Read: Daniel 5:1-31 You have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. (v. 23) Daniel’s first four chapters paint a complex portrait of Nebuchadnezzar. Babylon’s emperor was at turns brutal and thoughtful; arrogant and repentant. Chapter 4 concludes with the once-idolatrous despot on his knees before God. His successor was a different story. Belshazzar […]
The Wonders of the Most High
Read: Daniel 4:1-3; 34-37 Those who walk in pride he is able to humble. (v. 37) I have had my share of humbling (even humiliating) experiences. When I was younger, I would agonize when I failed a test; forgot my lines onstage; or made a fool of myself at a party. I did everything I […]
Who Rules?
Read: Daniel 4:4-9; 19-25; 28-33 The Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will. (v. 25) Nineteenth-century British politician John Dalberg-Acton is credited with the maxim, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The more power humans have, the less accountable they are for the evil they […]
With Us in the Furnace
Read: Daniel 3:19-30 The fourth [man] is like a son of the gods. (v. 25) At the end of A Tale of Two Cities, a young woman faces execution. At her side is Charles Darnay, who goes to the guillotine in a friend’s place. When she learns of Darnay’s sacrifice, she says, “I mind nothing […]
Which God?
Read: Daniel 3:1-18 We will not serve your gods. (v. 18) One of the tools the US Secret Service uses to combat counterfeiting is a document entitled “Know Your Money.” It features detailed photos and descriptions not of counterfeits, but of genuine dollar bills. The best way to spot a fake is to know the […]
Pray with Words of Hope
God works through our prayers. Prayers go where our feet cannot, and the Holy Spirit intercedes in our prayers even when we do not know what words to say. Prayer connects the body of Christ near and far around the world. The following prayer requests were shared by our ministry team in Turkey. The names […]
Kingdom of Heaven
Read: Daniel 2:36-49 The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed. (v. 44) Nebuchadnezzar provides a lesson in being careful what you wish for. When the God in heaven revealed the meaning of the king’s dream, it was not good news. Nebuchadnezzar’s dazzling kingdom would one day be crushed. […]
There Is a God
Read: Daniel 2:25-35 There is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. (v. 28) The main theme of the book of Daniel is that “the God of heaven” is greater than any force on earth. Nebuchadnezzar considered himself the greatest man on earth. He believed that he could bend any person, place, or thing to […]