Daniel 6
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Daniel 6
Spurgeon - Morning and Evening. There is an evangelistic magnetism in integrity (Think of the effect of Daniel on the lives of King Nebuchadnezzar and King Darius) Every day we rub shoulders with people who are watching. Here in Daniel 6 we see that some are watching who the become jealous, but others are attracted to what they observe. When Christ is our life and He is living through us (think of integer = one - Christ is in us, we are in Covenant with Him, we are "one" with Him, and when we walk in integrity, that "oneness" with Christ becomes obvious to others!), we become an aroma of life to some but an aroma of death to others (see 2Cor 2:14, 15, 16). The integrity of a believer's life will demonstrate to the lost world whether Christianity is true or false. They make value judgments about us by our attitudes and actions. Have we made the right choices? Remember we may be the "only Bible" those around us will ever read! What is the "Gospel" according to __________ (your name here)? In other words, people around us often judge the truthfulness of Christianity by its affect in our lives. If they see Christians as duplicitous, as hypocrites, etc, they may not go any further in their investigation of the gospel. Jesus is the supreme model of integrity. His enemies, even in their flattery, could only declare, "Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth" (Mk 12:14). So one thing integrity means is that we speak the truth no matter what people want to hear. Christ is our ultimate model of integrity. He could declare "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). His will was so integrated with the will of His Father that there was no division of mind or heart (think "integer") Believers have been redeemed and are in the oneness of the New Covenant relationship that we are also to be so integrated, to be conformed to the image of God in Christ. A few words describing the opposite of integrity beginning with "d" = devious, deceitful, dissembling, doubletalk, double-minded, duplicitous, dishonest, double-dealing, deceptive, delusive, defrauding! The opposite of integrity is corruption (Daniel was incorruptible). This person lives in contradiction; without an integrating core one’s conduct is marked by a host of "d" words! A few words that are synonymous with integrity = conscientious, honest, principled, true, honorable, noble, just, scrupulous, upright, blameless, aboveboard, forthright, straightforward, open, authentic, trustworthy, incorruptible, moral, upstanding, fair-minded. One tiny piece of dirt in the carburetor can prevent a powerful otherwise well tuned truck from successfully climbing a mountain. This is a rather small impurity but it is all-important in making the ascent. In the same way, one tiny lapse in our integrity can have a great impact on our spiritual trek. Daniel began distinguishing himself - Why? Because he possessed an extraordinary spirit. Do you your work with excellence as unto the Lord, as if He were the One "inspecting" your work? (see Col 3:17-note, Col 3:23, 24-note = How is this possible? We need to obey the command to let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly! Col 3:16-note, which relates to being filled with the Spirit, Eph 5:18-note, which relates to doing our doing our work heartily). MacArthur suggests that "God wanted Daniel in this place of influence to encourage and assist in the Jews’ return to Judah, since the return was made in Cyrus’s first year (539–537BC)." (Daniel: God's Control over Rulers and Nations) David a man after God's own heart prayed for integrity in Ps 86:11 and also asked that his integrity be examined, tried and tested (!) in Psalm 26… Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth; Unite my heart to fear Thy name. (Note: NIV, NRSV = "give me an undivided heart") Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart. (Ps 26:1, 2) (Verbs in red are imperatives = commands)
Daniel 6
Spurgeon commenting on Ps 5:9 gives a picturesque description of those who flatter - "A smooth tongue is a great evil; there are human anteaters that with their long tongues covered with oily words entice the unwary and make their gain thereby." Daniel 6:8 "Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." establish: Es 3:12 8:10 Isa 10:1 according : Da 6:12, Da 6:15 Es 1:19 8:3 may not be changed: Mt 24:35 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked - Nebuchadnezzar had absolute power with no such restriction that he could not revoke a law. The interesting fact is that the devotion of the Medes and Persians to established laws eventually made it difficult for their government to function efficiently. They found themselves swamped in a bureaucratic quagmire due to the profusion of their laws and this fact appears to be the main reason the MedoPersian form of government was termed inferior to that of Nebuchadnezzar, the absolute dictator of Babylon, whose slightest word was law. (Da 2:38, 39). Lehman Strauss - Even if a king passed the death sentence upon one of his subjects, and later evidence led him to the conclusion that he erred in passing the sentence, he was unable to reverse his decision. (Lehman Strauss Commentary – The Prophecies of Daniel) Whitcomb injects a historical reference noting that "The book of Daniel is accurate in listing the Medes first because, in spite of the fact that the emperor, Cyrus, was a Persian, the bulk of his army at this time was still Median. Only a dozen years earlier he had conquered and absorbed the numerically superior Median army of the aging and corrupt King Astyages (550BC) into a new and vastly superior MedoPersian military unit. Two generations later, however, the Persian domination of the Medes had become almost complete, so that in the days of king Xerxes (Ahasuerus) (486-465BC) the Persian element could be mentioned first (Esther 1:19-note, etc., though not in Esther 10:2-note)." (Ibid) In the book of Esther which takes place during the reign of Ahasuerus, we see a similar reference to the the Persian laws… If it pleases the king, let a royal edict be issued by him and let it be written in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti may no longer come into the presence of King Ahasuerus, and let the king give her royal position to another who is more worthy than she. (Es 1:19-note). Historian Will Durant affirms the irrevocable nature of Persian laws noting that "it was a proud boast of Persia that its laws never changed, and that a royal promise or decree was irrevocable. In his edicts and judgments the king was supposed to be inspired by the god Ahura-Mazda himself; therefore the law of the realm was the Divine Will, and any infraction of it was an offense against the deity." (Our Oriental Heritage) Daniel 6:9 Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Ps 62:9,10 118:9 146:3 Pr 6:2 Isa 2:22 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Therefore - see term of conclusion for the value of observing and interrogating this term. Signed the document - Compare There this Persian practice in Esther 1:19, 8:8 where a seal guaranteed the validity of the decree. Injunction (0633)(esar) means a decree, in this context a royal decree, used 6x in Daniel 6 - Dan 6:7-9f, 12-13, 15. Webster says injunction is "a writ granted by a court of equity whereby one is required to do or to refrain from doing a specified act." The Lxx translates esar with dogma which is "a formal statement concerning rules or regulations that are to be observed." (BDAG) Strauss - As the presidents (commissioners) and princes left the king's presence, they doubtless felt that their scheme was a success, and soon Daniel would be dead. But they failed to see that they were not attacking an ordinary man but the chosen and anointed servant of the Most High God, who said, "Touch not Mine anointed, and do My prophets no harm" (1Chronicles 16:22). The law of the Medes and Persians might not be subject to change, but those wicked men had yet to reckon with the mighty Lawgiver. (Ibid) Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. when : Lk 14:26 Ac 4:17-19 windows : 1Ki 8:30,38,44,48, 49, 50 2Ch 6:38 Ps 5:7 Jon 2:4 Heb 4:16 kneeling: 1Ki 8:54 2Ch 6:13 Ezra 9:5 Ps 95:6 Lk 22:41 Ac 7:60 9:40 20:36 Ac 21:5 Eph 3:14 three : Da 6:13 Ps 55:17 86:3 Ac 2:1,2,15 3:1 10:9 giving: Ps 34:1 Php 4:6 Col 3:17 1Th 5:17,18 Heb 13:15 as he: Neh 6:11 Ps 11:1,2 Mt 10:28-33 Lk 12:4-9 Ac 4:18,19,29 Ac 5:20,29,40-42 20:24 Php 1:14,20 Rev 2:10,13 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Resources: James Hastings in depth Da 6:10 Open Windows OBEDIENT DISOBEDIENCE! Daniel Praying Lying Conspirators Spying (Click to enlarge) Now when Daniel knew the document was signed - Test time Daniel! He understood the truth that every trial in life is a test of one's character. As a result, not only was Daniel not dissuaded from his devotion, but he even had a desire to immediately seek the face of God. Prayer is a good place to go when we find ourselves being tempted. Daniel's continual communion with the living God kept him prepared for unexpected testing. Adam
Daniel 6
Spurgeon - Daniel did not deliberate for a single minute. When we know our duty, first thoughts are the best. I greatly admire one feature in Daniel’s decision. He did not alter his accustomed habit in any single particular. Without disguise and without parade he pursued the even tenor of his way. He does not appear to have taken council of his friends, or to have summoned his servants, and charged them not to let any intruder come in. Neither did he adopt any measure to escape his enemies. Not one jot of anxiety did he betray. His faith was steadfast, his composure unruffled, his conduct simple and artless… It might be asked, perhaps, “Should not Daniel obey the king?” Certainly kings’ laws are to be respected; but any law of man that infringes the law of God is, ipso facto, null and void at once. It is the duty of every citizen to disregard every law of earth which is contrary to the law of heaven. So Daniel felt that the risk of being put into a den with lions was nothing to the risk of being put into hell, and he chose the smaller risk, and in the name of God he went straight on. Look at John Bunyan when they bring him up before the magistrates and tell him he must not preach! “But I will preach,” said he, “I will preach to-morrow by the help of God.” “But you will be put in prison again.” Never mind, I will preach as soon as I get out.” “But you will be hanged, or kept m prison all your life.” “If I lie in prison,” said he, “till the moss grows upon my eyelids, I can say nothing more than this, that with God’s help, I will preach whenever I get a chance.” Do not tell me that these are non-essentials. To men who will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, even the opening or the shutting of a window, if need be, is essential. Be jealous over what are called “trifles.” They may be mere straws, but they show which way the wind blows. Pritchard asks "So what do you do when you discover that your enemies have passed a law aimed at one person, and you are that person? It’s like walking around with a bull’s eye on your shirt. How you respond at that point tells a great deal about your character. Daniel 6:10 reveals the secret of his greatness… It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer who said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” And Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., changed the face of America with these words: “If a man hasn’t discovered something that he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” Daniel had discovered something worth dying for, which is why he kept on praying when others would have quit. Since he wasn’t afraid to die, he had the courage to live for God in a hostile pagan world. (How to Tame Lions - sermon by Dr. Ray Pritchard - January 2000) As Campbell writes Daniel "was not a man who served God only when there was no price to be paid. (Ibid) Paul reminds that we can withstand the temptation to compromise when the test comes because "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man (cp Daniel); and God is faithful (even as He was to Daniel), Who will not allow you to be tempted (tested - peirazo) beyond what you are able, but with the temptation (test) will provide the way (not "a way" but the specific way) of escape also, (Why? Not to escape the test per se but… ) that you may be able to endure it. (1Co 10:13-note) Someone has well said that a man's character is accurately measured by his reaction to life's inequities. What is Daniel's reaction to "equity", to "unfair" treatment? Do you see the lesson for us who would seek to imitate Daniel's victorious life (" imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises" - Heb 6:11, 12-note)? Then let us lean hard on God's grace so that we might be enabled to "pray (present imperative = a lifestyle of prayer is commanded! Only possible as we yield to the filling of the Spirit Who gives us the desire and the power to pray) without ceasing" (1Th 5:17-note) If one's conduct is the overflow of one's doctrine, then Daniel's conduct speaks volumes about the holiness of his doctrine. What we believe should always affect how we behave. When Daniel's "belief was challenged", he knelt in prayer. How do I respond when I "challenged" to disobey God's Word? Daniel's loyalty to God over government reminds us of Peter's allegiance to God and his compulsion to preach Christ crucified even to the perpetrators (But note that it was after he was filled with the Holy Spirit [see before = Mt 26:69-75] - Here's the after = Acts 2:2-4, 4:8, Ep 5:18-note)… But Peter and the apostles answered and said, "We must obey God rather than men… 40 And they took his advice; and after calling the apostles in, they flogged them and ordered them to speak no more in the name of Jesus, and then released them. 41 So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His Name. (Acts 5:29, 40, 41) Windows open to Jerusalem (Compare 1Kings 8:33, 35, 38, 48) - Notice that Daniel did not open the window to deliberately defy the king's injunction but his window was routinely open when he prayed. T. De Witt Talmage - Daniel at the window is not standing and looking out, he is kneeling and looking out. Daniel found that a man can see farther on his knees than on tiptoe. There is another Jerusalem toward which you and I will do well to keep our windows open. It makes one heavenly-minded to think much of heaven. (Ed: And for those who believe in the Millennium as I do, to pray for the earthly Jerusalem in which the returning Righteous One reigns for one thousand years!) Adam
Daniel 6
Spurgeon - DANIEL’S PRAYERFULNESS WAS THE SECRET OF HIS POWER. Daniel was always a man of prayer. If you saw him great before the people, the reason was because he was great before his God. He knew how to lay hold of divine strength, and he became strong. He knew how to study divine wisdom, and he became wise. We are told that he went to his house to pray. This showed that he made a business of prayer, and finding it neither convenient to his circumstances nor congenial to his mind to pray in the midst of idolaters, he had chosen to set apart a chamber in his own house for prayer. It is well to have, if we can have, a little room, no matter how humble, where we can shut to the door, and pray to our Father who is in heaven, who will hear and answer. He was in the habit of praying thus three times a day. Perhaps he thought that this was prudent economy, for, if he had so much to do, he must pray the more; as Martin Luther said, “I have got so much to do to-day that I cannot possibly get through it with less than three hours of prayer.” So, perhaps, Daniel felt that the extraordinary pressure of his engagements demanded a proportionate measure of prayer to enable him to accomplish the weighty matter he had on hand. A singularity in his manner is noticeable here. He had been in the habit of praying with his windows open towards Jerusalem. Thus openly did he ignore the decree! With such a royal courage did he lift his heart above the fear of man, and raise the conscience above the suspicion of compromise. He loved Jerusalem, and his prayers were for it. Hence he looked that way in his prayer. And I think also he had an eye on the altar. We worship with our eye to Christ. Oh, for Daniel’s prayerful spirit! God’s Word contains our marching orders for being on prayer patrol. Some of them are: Pray without ceasing (1 Th. 5:17-note). Continue steadfastly in prayer (Rom. 12:12-note). Pray morning, noon, and night (Ps. 55:17). Pray always and do not get discouraged (Lk. 18:1). Praying frequently will lead to praying fervently. Strauss - In difficult circumstances what course shall the godly take? Look up and thank God for every blessing (cp Nebuchadnezzar at the end of 7 years humiliation - Da 4:34-note). Daniel was a man who possessed the rare combination of courage and gratitude. It is easier to thank God for past blessings than to thank Him before the answer to our prayer comes. But in the heart of the man of God the element of praise is never absent, even under the pressure of impending danger. We are spiritually poor if we fail to find our place on our knees before the Lord, praising Him, even in the midst of life's sorest trials. (Ibid) Commit to pray and intercede— The battle's strong and great is the need; And this one truth can't be ignored: Our only help comes from the Lord. —Sper
Daniel 6
Spurgeon comments: Often but none too often. Seasons of great need call for frequent seasons of devotion. The three periods chosen are most fitting; to begin, continue, and end the day with God is supreme wisdom. Where time has naturally set up a boundary, there let us set up an altar stone. The psalmist means that he will always pray; he will run a line of prayer right along the day, and track the sun with his petitions. Day and night he saw his enemies busy (Psalms 55:10), and therefore he would meet their activity by continuous prayer. And cry aloud. He would give a tongue to his complaint; he would be very earnest in his pleas with heaven. Some cry aloud who never say a word. It is the bell of the heart that rings loudest in heaven. Some read it, "I will nurse and murmur;" deep heart thoughts should be attended with inarticulate but vehement utterances of grief. Blessed be God, moaning is translatable in heaven. A father's heart reads a child's heart. And he shall hear my voice. He is confident that he will prevail; he makes no question that he would be heard, he speaks as if already he were answered. When our window is opened towards heaven, the windows of heaven are open to us. Have but a pleading heart and God will have a plenteous hand. Campbell… Daniel's spirit reminds us of Polycarp, one of the Early Church fathers who was threatened with martyrdom in Smyrna if he did not reproach Christ. He replied, Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me any injury. How then can I blaspheme my King and Savior? (Ibid) (Ed: It is ironic that "Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor." - Wikipedia) Daniel's priority list had fellowship with God at the top. This explains in large measure the godly life and character of this man. What is at the top of your priority list? Leon Wood expounds on Daniel's prayer life noting that "To have maintained such a demanding prayer schedule as this, even apart from continuing it now in the face of penalty, required great discipline of life. In his position as president, Daniel carried heavy responsibility, with much work to do. Under such demands the temptation to neglect this sort of prayer-program was no doubt strong, especially since he had to return home each noon for the purpose, while keeping on also with the morning and evening occasions. But Daniel had maintained it, apparently recognizing the priority of this faithful contact with God. He continued the same in the face of the unfair decree. (Commentary on Daniel Leon Wood - Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973, page 163) As he had been doing previously - If Daniel was 85 yo this would be over 95,000 prayers (at 3x/day)! Talk about a hard habit to break! Remember he knew the law had been signed so he knew that his prayer was his "death warrant" for the lion's den! As noted above, as one of 3 commissioners, he would have been very busy with worldly affairs, but he was never too busy to tend to his heavenly affairs. How about you? Are you too busy to pray? If you answered "Yes", then you are simply too busy! Related Resources: Colossians 1:9 Commentary Colossians 4:12 Commentary Devotional on Prayer Guide to Praying for Missionaries Pithy Prayer Phrases Prayer - Greek Words for Prayer Prayer Devotionals and Illustrations Prayer Hymns and Poems Prayer Quotes Prayer Quotes, Devotionals and Illustrations Praying His Word Praying in the Spirit Spurgeon's Gems on Prayer Safe on Your Knees - A group of amateur climbers were scaling part of the Matterhorn mountain near Zermatt, Switzerland. As they came to a narrow, hazardous passage, about to make a turn, a gust of wind swept down on them. The experienced guide, knowing the danger this posed for the group, quickly shouted, "Get down on your knees! You are safe only on your knees!"How true this is in the Christian life as well. We are safe only as we are continually in fellowship with our Lord in prayer. As Paul wrote, "Pray continually" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).See: Joshua 5:14; 1 Chronicles 16:11; Daniel 6:10-See commentary on Daniel's "Obedient Disobedience" in Prayer; Ephesians 6:18 - (6,000 Plus Illustrations for Communicating Biblical Truths.) Are You Too Comfortable When You Pray? William R. Newell says kneeling is a good way to pray because it is uncomfortable. Daniel prayed on his knees (Daniel 6:10-note). Jim Elliot said, “God is still on His throne, we’re still His footstool, and there’s only a knee’s distance between!” He also said, “That saint who advances on his knees never retreats.”—Elisabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty Plan To Pray - "Evening and morning and at noon I will pray." (Psalm 55:17) - I have an appointment with my dentist to have my teeth cleaned and checked. I’m confident that I’ll get a good report on the condition of my teeth and gums because I floss every morning and brush two or three times every day. I have built it into my daily schedule. I have to confess that it wasn’t always that way. I knew that I should pay better attention to my dental hygiene— and I intended to. But I seldom got it done because I didn’t have a plan for it. The result: growing gum disease that led to extensive and uncomfortable surgery. I won’t let that happen again! Many things in life are like that— including prayer. Mature Christians know that unless they plan to pray, it will not happen. Daniel set specific times for prayer (Dan. 6:10). And David followed a schedule for prayer, as Psalm 55:17 indicates. I realize that following a regular program does not guarantee effective praying. And I know it can easily become a stiff formality. Even so, we must devise a plan for praying— and stick with it. Otherwise, despite our best intentions, we will pray very little. Failure to establish good spiritual habits will lead to poor spiritual health. Plan to pray! - PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE: When is the best time for you to pray each day? Set aside that time as an appointment with God. Then ask God to help you keep your commitment. David Egner Plan your praying, then pray your plan. Getting Into The Habit - Daniel . . . knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed, . . . as was his custom. (Daniel 6:10) The family car is packed to the limit. The kids have their books, tapes, and games. The car-top carrier clearly signals to all observers that our family is taking a trip. But before we leave the driveway, we always stop and pray—asking God for safety and for family unity on our trip. It’s a habit. Prayer habits are helpful tools to remind us of our dependence on God. Perhaps you have some habits of your own. Before you eat, you pray. Maybe before the kids leave for school, you pray. Before they go to bed, you pray. Developing prayer habits can be of tremendous help to those of us who want to develop a close relationship with the Lord but find that the busyness of the day squeezes out the time we had hoped to spend with Him. When we designate different activities of the day before or after which we always pray, we’ll help to assure ourselves of regular communication with our Creator. That could become empty ritual, but it doesn’t have to be—it can be a time of rich fellowship with our Lord. David, who wrote Psalm 55, said that he prayed in the morning, noon, and evening (Ps 55:17). Daniel prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10). Like them, we would be wise to develop prayer habits. They’re great ways to make prayer an integral, constant part of our daily lives. PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE: Do you have regular times of prayer each day? If not, when could you set aside time to focus your thoughts on God and talk to Him? To make the most of your time, take time to pray. Dave Branon Pigeon Walk - Have you ever wondered why a pigeon walks so funny? It's so that it can see where it's going. Because a pigeon's eyes can't focus as it moves, the bird actually has to bring its head to a complete stop between steps in order to refocus. So it proceeds clumsily--head forward, stop, head back, stop. In our spiritual walk with the Lord, we have the same problem as the pigeon: We have a hard time seeing while we're on the go. We need to stop between steps--to refocus on the Word and the will of God. That's not to say we have to pray and meditate about every little decision in life. But certainly our walk with the Lord needs to have built into it a pattern of stops that enable us to see more clearly before moving on. Daniel's practice of praying three times a day was an essential part of his walk with God. He realized that there's a certain kind of spiritual refocusing that we can't do without stopping. His stops gave him a very different kind of walk--one that was obvious to those around him. There is a blessed calm at eventide That calls me from a world of toil and care; How restful, then, to seek some quiet nook Where I can spend a little time in prayer. --Bullock Time in Christ's service requires time out for renewal. F B Meyer in Our Daily Walk - Our Prayer Life - Dan. 6:10 THE CHOSEN hour. It was at the time when Daniel's enemies appeared to have accomplished his downfall and death--"when the writing was signed '--that this heroic statesman knelt down and prayed, and gave thanks to God. These are times when prayer is the only way out of our perplexities. George Muller said: "Our very weakness gives opportunity for the power of the Lord Jesus Christ to be manifested. That blessed One never leaves and never forsakes us. The greater the weakness, the nearer He is to manifest His strength; the greater our necessities, the more have we ground to rely on it that He will prove Himself our Friend. This has been my experience for more than seventy years; the greater the trial, the greater the difficulty, the nearer the Lord's help. Often the appearance was as if I must be overwhelmed, but it never came to it, and it never will. More prayer, more faith, more exercise of patience, will bring the blessing. Therefore our business is just to pour out our hearts before Him; and help in His own time and way is sure to come." The chosen direction. "His windows open towards Jerusalem." There the Holy Temple had stood, and the Altar of Incense; there God had promised to put His Name and meet His people. When we pray, our windows must be open towards our blessed Lord, who ministers for us in Heaven, mingling the much incense of His intercession with the prayers of all mints (Heb. 7:25; Rev. 8:3). The chosen attitude. "He kneeled upon his knees." It is most appropriate to kneel before God in homage and worship. St. Paul bowed his knees, even though his hands were chained, to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 3:14). But we can pray also as we walk, or sit, or ride. Nehemiah flashed a prayer to the God of Heaven before he answered the king's question, but he also prayed before God day and night. Let us contract the habit of praying and giving thanks three times a day. At even, morning, and noon, let God hear your voice. PRAYER Thee we would be always blessing, Serve Thee as Thy hosts above; Pray, and praise Thee without ceasing Glory in Thy perfect love. AMEN. Planned Neglect - Daniel ... knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God. (Da 6:10) In her book A Practical Guide to Prayer, Dorothy Haskin tells about a noted concert violinist who was asked the secret of her mastery of the instrument. The woman answered the question with two words: "Planned neglect." Then she explained, "There were many things that used to demand my time. When I went to my room after breakfast, I made my bed, straightened the roam, dusted, and did whatever seemed necessary. When I finished my work, I turned to my violin practice. That system prevented me from accomplishing what I should on the violin. So I reversed things. I deliberately planned to neglect everything else until my practice period was complete. And that program of planned neglect is the secret of my success." This same principle can be helpful as we plan a daily quiet time with the Lord. Unless we discipline ourselves and make a deliberate effort, trivial things will keep us from establishing a consistent devotional life. Let's give our time with the Lord top priority by "planned neglect" of things of lesser value. He deserves first place in our lives. —R. W. De Haan A Practical Guide to Prayer By Dorothy Haskin 1. PRAYING IN PUBLIC 2. THE KEY TO PRAYER 3. GOD'S WORD IN THE QUIET TIME 4. PRAYER IN THE PRIVATE TIME 5. LISTEN! 6. PRAYER FOR OTHERS 7. FAMILY PRAYERS 8. TABLE GRACE 9. PRAYER PARTNERS 10. THE SECRET OF HIS PRESENCE Daniel 6:11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. came: Da 6:6 Ps 10:9 37:32,33 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OBEY GOD OVER MEN… BUT CHEERFULLY ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES! Came by agreement - Unified in their evil hearts and their evil intent. Found Daniel - They found him breaking the law of the land! See comments in previous verse on Acts 5:29. Daniel was much like the 86 year old martyr Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna, who before being burned at the stake in 155AD was given one last chance to deny Christ publicly before just before they lit the fire. Polycarp in quiet assurance and with steady voice said: Eighty-six years have I served Him, He's never done me any harm, why should I forsake Him now? Miller - Corrie ten Boom broke the law of Germany when she hid Jews from the Nazis during World War II, but she would have broken a higher law had she not tried to prevent the murder of innocents. Today Christians are being called upon to make difficult ethical choices. (Ibid) Making petition (asking) and supplication (asking for mercy) before his God - "Before" (Aramaic = in front of!) is an awesome and beautiful reminder that all prayer is as if the petitioner is kneeling directly in front of God's throne of grace (Heb 4:16-note)! Daniel could have closed his windows or gone somewhere else to pray. He could have done this if he had been unbelieving and frightened, but in fact Daniel knew that when a man feared the LORD he did not have to fear man. Daniel looked away from his circumstances and instead choose to focus on His omnipotent God, Who is strong enough and is able to deliver if that be His will. Faithfulness in prayer gets Daniel in the lion's den, whereas for many of us unfaithfulness in prayer is what gets us in the lion's den (so to speak)! One wonders if some of the content of Daniel's prayer might not have been similar to the prayer Paul recommends for all believers to pray… First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1Ti 2:1,2) Supplication - Humble, earnest request as by one begging on bended knee. EBC - Daniel could not compromise. For him the issue was whether he was going to please man or obey God. Daniel had to choose between loyalty to his Lord and obedience to a sinful government commanding him to perform idolatry. So he was willing to risk his life for the Lord, trusting him for deliverance even as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had been delivered years before. (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary OT 7 Volume Set: Books: Zondervan Publishing) Daniel 6:12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king replied, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked." they : Da 3:8-12 Ac 16:19,24 24:2-9 Da 6:8 Es 1:19 Daniel 6 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Did you not sign - They need to make certain the fate of Daniel is sealed with the King's signature. At least they thought it was sealed! Little did they know that they were in fact sealing their eternal fate! (Da 6:24) They did not know God's warning in 1Chr 16:22 = “Do not touch My anointed ones, and do My prophets no harm.” The king replied - Notice how they got him first to reaffirm his own law before they told him of Daniel's disobedience. They were cunning and crafty like their father Satan (Ge 3:1, Jn 8:44). The law of the Medes and Persians - This emphasizes that Darius the Mede was not an independent ruler over Babylon. John