Septemeber 15 ... Daniel 1 - 3 "God Is Able But Even If He Doesn't"

Daniel 1

God had given four young men knowledge and skill in books and life (1:17). Daniel determined that he would not defile himself by eating the king's food or drinking his wine, so he asked the head of the palace staff to exempt him from the royal diet.  Daniel even appealed to a steward."  I like this young man of nobility who is not afraid to appeal to the secular world for the sacred.

Daniel 2

Again, Daniel appeals to the chief of the royal court who was planning Daniel and the whole company's execution.  Then, Daniel goes straight to the king to appeal.  How moving when Daniel returns home to ask his companions "to pray to the God of heaven for mercy in solving the mystery so that the four of them shouldn't be killed along with the whole company of Babylonian wise men (2:18)."  Either God comes through to answer their prayer or they die.  Talk about dependence for their next breath.  What difficult situation do you face this day that we may pray to the God of heaven for mercy?  Daniel interpreted the dream about a smashed statue.  Who is strong in your life like that statue?  Even iron-ceramic statues can crumble under competing Kingdoms.  Only One Kingdom will stand. 

Daniel 3

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ignored the King's decree to kneel and worship Neb's gold statue.  "If you throw us into the fire, the God we serve can rescue us, o King.  BUT, even if He doesn't, we still wouldn't serve your God and worship this statue.  Our God is able to rescue us from your hand BUT even if He doesn't (3:18), we will not advance that kingdom.  Only One Kingdom built by God.  How will we serve and advance that kingdom today?  

"The LORD is There" in the cities and now in the fire.  "Look.  I see four men walking around in the fire (3:25).  Not a hair singed, not a scorch mark on their clothes, not even the smell of fire on them (3:27)."  What am I living out in my marriage, my ministry, my parenting, my life that can only be explained in terms of "The LORD is There?"  Praying God's mercy on you this day for a miraculous rescue for those of you in the fire.  Praying God's mercy for the statues to crumble in the competing kingdoms in all of our hearts.