lessons from daniel in a post 9/11 world
Imagine what it was like 25 centuries ago for Daniel and his fellow countrymen. King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked Jeruselum and conquered the country of Judah. The church was plundered, the articles of worship were carried back to Babylonia and put in the treasure house of the Babylonian god Bel, and Daniel, along with thousands of of others from Judah, were forcibly deported to Babylon. They had to live in servitude in a foreign country that had a different language and a different religion under the rule of an egocentric despot.
Can you imagine the absolute despair that Daniel and his people must have felt? They must have felt like their whole world was imploding. I'm sure that they must have asked each other a thousand times, "Why is this happening to us?". We, here in the 21st Century, would have no problem understanding that they probably questioned God and His love for them during those horrendous times.
Read chapters 1, 3, and 6 in the Book of Daniel and you will discover what God has to say about overcoming adversity. Daniel was ordered to conform to the pagan eating and drinking rituals of the Babylonians, and was later thrown into a pit with hungry lions because he prayed to God instead of the false gods of Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because they openly worshipped God and did not submit to the idolatry of Babylon. How did these men respond? They prayed to God for strength, wisdom and courage. They sought God's love. They remained faithful to God, knowing that, even in the worst of times, God would never abandon or turn His back on them. They endured suffering because of their faith in God, but God lifted them up and carried them through these difficult times.
As we mark the passing of another year since the horrible events of 9/11/2001, never forget that God loves us. We may not understand why things happen the way that they do, but we can be 100% sure that God will strengthen and comfort us even on the worst of days. No matter what happens to us in this world, we can be certain that God has prepared an eternal home in His Kingdom for all who love Him and who accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior.
For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:26-27
Can you imagine the absolute despair that Daniel and his people must have felt? They must have felt like their whole world was imploding. I'm sure that they must have asked each other a thousand times, "Why is this happening to us?". We, here in the 21st Century, would have no problem understanding that they probably questioned God and His love for them during those horrendous times.
Read chapters 1, 3, and 6 in the Book of Daniel and you will discover what God has to say about overcoming adversity. Daniel was ordered to conform to the pagan eating and drinking rituals of the Babylonians, and was later thrown into a pit with hungry lions because he prayed to God instead of the false gods of Babylon. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace because they openly worshipped God and did not submit to the idolatry of Babylon. How did these men respond? They prayed to God for strength, wisdom and courage. They sought God's love. They remained faithful to God, knowing that, even in the worst of times, God would never abandon or turn His back on them. They endured suffering because of their faith in God, but God lifted them up and carried them through these difficult times.
As we mark the passing of another year since the horrible events of 9/11/2001, never forget that God loves us. We may not understand why things happen the way that they do, but we can be 100% sure that God will strengthen and comfort us even on the worst of days. No matter what happens to us in this world, we can be certain that God has prepared an eternal home in His Kingdom for all who love Him and who accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior.
For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions. Daniel 6:26-27
posted by hondo at 10:54 PM
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