What a humble approach we see in Daniel! His claim was not that he was super intelligent, or knew more than anyone else. He was very sure that God had given him the necessary revelation, and answer to the mystery. In fact it was not as big as it seemed.
Where two or three gather…. Daniel and his friends had been young men when they were taken to Babylon after King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. They were all good-looking young Jews born into noble families. They had had a good start in life and that certainly helped them in future situations.
Parts of the book of Daniel seem to be full of mysteries, and many of them seem only to be able to be solved by someone with The wisdom of the gods. At least that is what this suggests. Daniel was one with a relationship with The One true God.
The mysteries of God have been hidden since Adam and Eve were banished from the garden, but that has not stopped people from thinking they know Him and how He thinks. Many scientists, historians and theologians have spent many hours trying to understand the mysteries in the universe God created.
Today is Easter Day. Happy Easter everyone! This verse could be a challenge for all of us today. How many of the words of Jesus do we remember? We must be prepared at all times to share our faith, remembering much of what Jesus Himself told His followers to do.
Did it really need the Israelites to get into such a state of exhaustion from their slavery for God to hear their cries? No! God was waiting for the right person to be the right age with the perfect upbringing, to be in a position to listen to His voice.
This verse is a good one to think about on the day we remember that Jesus died for you and me so that the former things can be forgotten. He changed the world in a way no other person has ever done. He gave us the ultimate example of forgiveness.
After the angels had told the family of Lot to head for the hills and never look back, God rained burning sulphur on Sodom and Gomorrah. Sadly, his wife could not resist the temptation to turn around and look back. At that very moment she became a pillar of salt!
When life is ebbing away sounds like a good moment to remember Jesus. He is still forgiving and accepting repentant last minute converts, just as He was when the thief on the cross said a similar last minute prayer and became a believer at the very end of his life.
What challenges me about this verse is the word continue! I must confess that remembering or praying for those in prison is not something I do continually. I only do that occasionally when I am reminded by reading a verse like this one! Hebrews is full of reminders for believers.
EN
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