How faithful my God is! I was taken by the guards and thrown into the den of lions for my disobedience of the law, and here I am, writing this message! God kept the mouths of the lions shut the whole night, and he brought me out safe this morning.
The king threw the men who had him sign the law against praying to anyone but him into the den, and the lions overpowered them. The king then ordered that everyone is to honor my God. After this, I have no excuse to not trust God in ANY difficult situation I encounter in my life hereafter. I will now not think twice when deciding between obeying man's law and God's law. I hope the rest of my people will be wise and do the same. For Persia may rule the earth, but God is still in control!
Friday, June 4, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Chapter 6 - Jealousy Revealed
There is great elation among my people since the king will allow some to return to our city of Jerusalem! Many will stay since they don't even remember the glory of our holy city and are well acquainted in this land. As for myself, I believe God will use me in bigger ways if I remain here. Also, I don't believe I could withstand the long journey.
It has been a short time under the new ruler, but already those placed under my authority are trying to undermine me. The king placed two men and myself over 120 satraps who were to govern the kingdom. Several of these have been trying to find faults in my actions in order that they may remove me from office.
They tricked the king into signing into law a decree that restricts anyone from praying to anyone except the king for thirty days. i then had a choice: I could obey the new law and disobey God's command from the Law of Moses, or I could ignore the Medo-Persian law and suffer the temporal consequences. After all these years, one thing I have learned is to never limit God and His ability to rescue his people from difficult circumstances. With that in mind, I continued my routine of praying three times a day. I did not try to hide my time of prayer, for if I was going to be secret about my devotion to God, how could I call myself one of His people?
While I was praying this morning asking God for strength in this matter, I heard men in my house whispering -- some of the satraps no doubt. They left my house and started heading towards the palace. It is unfortunate that my good relationship with this new king could be my downfall. It is against the law for even the king to go against a decree he signed, so even the most powerful man on earth can't rescue me from this situation. I must rely on the power of God to save me. But if He doesn't, then I will praise Him anyway.
It has been a short time under the new ruler, but already those placed under my authority are trying to undermine me. The king placed two men and myself over 120 satraps who were to govern the kingdom. Several of these have been trying to find faults in my actions in order that they may remove me from office.
They tricked the king into signing into law a decree that restricts anyone from praying to anyone except the king for thirty days. i then had a choice: I could obey the new law and disobey God's command from the Law of Moses, or I could ignore the Medo-Persian law and suffer the temporal consequences. After all these years, one thing I have learned is to never limit God and His ability to rescue his people from difficult circumstances. With that in mind, I continued my routine of praying three times a day. I did not try to hide my time of prayer, for if I was going to be secret about my devotion to God, how could I call myself one of His people?
While I was praying this morning asking God for strength in this matter, I heard men in my house whispering -- some of the satraps no doubt. They left my house and started heading towards the palace. It is unfortunate that my good relationship with this new king could be my downfall. It is against the law for even the king to go against a decree he signed, so even the most powerful man on earth can't rescue me from this situation. I must rely on the power of God to save me. But if He doesn't, then I will praise Him anyway.
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