Throughout the life of Daniel, we see the very distinct contrasts between those who really honor God and those who do not. Never concerning for his own comfort nor the consequences that could ensue, Daniel chose to always do the next right thing. There was never a question as to compromising. Nor was there ever a moment of self-pride. Always he lived his life to honor God, in all that he did. Recognizing that God is Sovereign, he trusted Him for every detail. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that only God deserved the Glory. Perhaps that is why Daniel so easily moved even in the circles of high, prestigious positions. God always promises to exalt the lowly of heart. What about you? Does your life really honor God? Do you always remember in whose hand resides your very Breath?
One Moment in Time within the early church
Paul, the apostle was bold in his speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ, both to the gentiles and to the Jews. In Thessalonica, Paul proclaimed Jesus Christ as the way for salvation. He knew the scripture well and was able to show them that Jesus was the Messiah, fulfilling all the scriptures. But that made some mad and they gathered a crowd of evil, violent men to create a violent scene and to get rid of Paul. He was escorted out a back way and taken to Athens where he was dropped off.
When Paul was dropped off in Athens, he began to look at all their idols and shrines to gods. They even had one designated to the unknown God. He felt compassion for these people. As he wandered through that city, speaking he got the attention of the lead philosophers. Wanting to hear what he had to say, the philosophers brought him to the hill where he spoke.
Acts 17:
“Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. 24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man,[c] 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, 28 for
“‘In him we live and move and have our being’;[d]
as even some of your own poets have said,
“‘For we are indeed his offspring.’[e]
29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.
To Really Honor God with Your Life
Think about this. The people in Thessalonica tried to kill Paul and create a scene to discredit him at the same time. Yet, now in front of a Grecian group, tied tightly to their worship of many gods (Zeus, Poseidon, Athena, Apollo, etc). Would you or I be that bold?
Daniel was. He did not hesitate to tell King Nebuchadnezzar the truth and that lead to the King acknowledging that God is the one true God who manages in the affairs of men. It is God who holds your very breath and controls the events of men, so why would we not honor Him with our life. But King Nebuchadnezzar’s son, though he had seen all that God did, refused to honor God. Hence, his time came quickly to an end. During a very wild party, King Belshazzar called for the golden cups taken from the Jerusalem synagogue and used them for all to get drunk from. Suddenly a hand appeared and wrote on the wall these words, mene, mene,[ax] teqel, and pharsin.
Ultimately the King called in Daniel to interpret the dream after his mother reminded him of Daniel’s ability to interpret dreams.
God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath
23You praised the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone—gods[av] that cannot see or hear or comprehend. But you have not glorified the God who has in his control[aw] your very breath and all your ways! 24 Therefore the palm of a hand was sent from him, and this writing was inscribed
25 “This is the writing that was inscribed: mene, mene,[ax] teqel, and pharsin.[ay] 26 This is the interpretation of the words:[az] As for Mene[ba]—God has numbered your kingdom’s days and brought it to an end. 27 As for Teqel—you are weighed on the balances and found to be lacking. 28 As for Peres[bb]—your kingdom is divided and given over to the Medes and Persians.” Daniel 5.
Within a few hours, the king was indeed dead, and Babylon fell to the Mede/Persian empire.
Daniel Did Really Honor God with His Life
Daniel was taken into a new position, now with Darius the Mede. He had a very important position which made many jealous. So, as typical of the time, they convinced Darius to declare that no one may worship any god except to bow to the King for 30 days. These jealous men came to the king and said, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.
8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. “Daniel 6.
It would have been easy to close the door and just pray alone, but Daniel continued to pray as he always had with his windows open. So, they thought they had trapped him. Because he had signed the injunction, the King had no way of reversing the order. So, Daniel got thrown into the lion’s den. Ultimately this led to the King worshipping God.
Daniel 6:
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
So, Does Your Life Really Honor God in Whose Hand Resides Your Very Breath?
Were we to truly remember that our very breath resides in the hand of God, each breath; would we be more likely to really honor God with our life?
Furthermore, never forget Ephesians 1:
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. 4 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world. That we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us[b] for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ. According to the purpose of his will. 6 To the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
7 In him we have redemption through his blood. The forgiveness of our trespasses. According to the riches of his grace, 8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight. 9 Making known[c] to us the mystery of his will. According to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time. To unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance. Having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will. 12 So that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 Who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,[e] to the praise of his glory.
Conclusion
Not only has He given us breath, but He has given us everything we need to live a life full of His Power. Not one day, but rather today. What would your life look like if you truly believed this? As His redeemed, beloved, chosen child, heir of the kingdom, endowed with all spiritual blessings, indwelt with His wisdom, power and love, what is too hard for us to do?
Table of contents
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.