In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how the overseers and nobles of the Medo-Persian empire assembled before King Darius and said, “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of you, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which alters not. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime”, and in chapter six and verse eleven of his book Daniel shared how, “these men assembled, and found Daniel praying” where we read,
Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
The verse reads, “Then these men assembled, …” Daniel began with the words, “then these men” or “at this time the overseers and lords” “assembled” which means “collected and gathered themselves together”. Daniel shared how the overseers and lords in Medo-Persia gathered together and did the following.
The verse continues, “… and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” Daniel added the words, “and found Daniel praying” or “and discovered Daniel whose name means ‘God is my judge’ seeking, desiring, requesting and asking” “and making supplication” which means “and imploring and entreating favor and mercy” “before his God” or “in front and in the presence of his, Daniel’s Supreme Deity”. Daniel shared how the overseers and lords discovered him seeking mercy and favor in the presence of his Supreme Deity.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how the overseers and nobles purposefully gathered together to discover that he was making supplications and orations to his “Supreme Deity”. Daniel desired the “mercy and favor” of God, and regardless of who was looking or spying upon him, He was making his appeal. We shall see what these men do with their information in our next verses, but for now let us admire the resolve of Daniel who did not alter his prayer life because of a governmental rule. God wants us to to follow Him, and we are to continue in our relationship with Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. As we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us a resolve like Daniel to make requests of Him for His mercy and favor for all our lives.
Next time Daniel shares how the men, “came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's decree”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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