DANIEL'S HISTORY

“Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus” (Dan. 1:21 NKJV).

Our verse gives a summary of the history Daniel’s life. It was characterized by the word “continued.” And his “continued” is a great inspiration to all of us. Thus, we want to note that he “continued” in survival of life, in service in government, and in sanctity of character.

Survival of life - The survival of Daniel’s life is one of the most amazing stories in Scripture. Taken captive as a teenager, he was brought to Babylon. From all indications, it did not seem that Daniel would survive. However, he survived and lived into the reign of Cyrus. In fact, Daniel had to be in his eighties when he died which in view of his times and circumstances was surprising longevity. Daniel was not a quitter. He did not give up easily. We will not survive long if we are quick to give up and quit in any area of life.

Service in government - Daniel served in Babylonian government and also in the Persian government. This was most unusual; but Daniel did his work well. Many folks complain that they cannot find jobs, but often times the reason one cannot find a job is because one does not do a good job when he has a job. Daniel continued finding jobs because he always did a good job.

Sanctity of character - The most important “continue” in the life of Daniel was in his character. Although his circumstances kept changing, Daniel remained true to God and holy in conduct. It did not make any difference if he had high position or cast into a den of lions, Daniel remained true to the Lord. Sanctity of character is hard, especially when our society does everything to encourage unfaithfulness in character. However, Daniel did not let the world influence him; he let the Word of God influence him in regard to his character. This made him faithful, and he “continued” to live a holy life all his days.

(Adapted from Analytical Biblical Expositor)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Living for God's glory is the greatest achievement we can accomplish with our lives!”

Rick Warren (1954 –)

Baptist Pastor and Author

Word Study

Enacted

In Heb. 10:6 we read, “But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises!” (NASB).

Enacted is the Greek word νομοθετέω (nomothetéō =nom-oth-et-eh'-o). It is made up of two words: “nomos” which means a law, and “tithēmi” which means to put. Literally, it is to put a law and means to enact laws, make laws, or establish as law. In classic Greek nomothetéō has the general meaning of legislating, enacting laws, establishing something specific by law, or settling something legally. In the Septuagint, nomothetéō carries the idea of to instruct or to teach. In the New Testament, nomothetéō means to establish.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“And shall say unto them, hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them” (Deut. 20:3 KJV).

Did You Know…

Zipporah, Moses’ wife has the distinction of being the first woman in the Bible to circumcise her child (Exodus 4:24-26).

Bible Quiz

In the Book of Jonah, what did the sailors do to calm the sea?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What did Elisha ask Elijah to leave him before he was to be taken to Heaven? A double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:9).

Names For God Found in the Bible

“MOST UPRIGHT”

"The way of the just is uprightness; O Most Upright, You weigh the path of the just” (Isa. 26:7 NKJV).

1. Meaning – MOST UPRIGHT refers to God being righteous and just.

2. Insights – Life for the righteous in this sin-cursed world will not be smooth sailing. However, the Lord is “Upright” (righteous, just), and He will act on behalf of the righteous. He will make sure that nothing prevents the righteous from traveling the road He has appointed them to travel. He will make the path of the righteous level by His commands and His judgments. The smoothest path through this world is obedience to the laws of God.

Did You Know...Christian History

Ulrich Zwingli was born on January 1, 1484, in Wildhaus, Switzerland. He was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland.

Zwingli’s father was able to provide him with an excellent education that included the BA and MA degrees from the University of Basel. Like Luther, Zwingli was ordained to the priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church. There he busied himself with preaching, teaching, and pastoring. But his love was also for private study of Greek, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the ancient classics. He began reading the writings of Erasmus which led to correspondence with Erasmus that was to greatly influence Zwingli.

At about the time that Luther published his Ninety-five Theses in Germany, Zwingli, who had never heard of Luther, began to preach a gospel-based message similar to that of Luther. Zwingli began attacking some of the abuses of the Catholic Church of Switzerland, especially the sale of indulgences. He also broke tradition by departing from the church’s schedule for sermons; instead, Zwingli began to preach through whole books of the New Testament, based on his own study of Greek.

In 1522 Zwingli published his Sixty-seven Theses, in which he rejected many key Catholic doctrines. In 1524, the city of Zurich removed all religious images from its churches. That same year, Zwingli married, further separating himself from Catholic rules. By 1525, the Protestant Reformation took firm root in Switzerland, and Zurich leaders officially abolished the Mass, and the Bible was read and preached in the language of the people. Zwingli saw to it that the communion service was open to congregation and clergy alike. Venerating Mary, selling indulgences, and praying for the dead were no longer practiced.

In October 1529, Zwingli and Luther finally met at the Marburg Colloquy. They and the other Reformers present agreed in principle on fourteen of the fifteen issues at hand. The one topic that Zwingli and Luther differed on was communion. Both men rejected the Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation. However, Luther held to consubstantiation, while Zwingli’s position was that the Lord’s Supper is mainly a symbolic memorial of Christ’s death.

In 1531 Catholics attacked the city of Zurich, and the Protestants went to battle against them. Zwingli joined Zurich’s army as a field chaplain. He was severely wounded on the battlefield, and when enemy soldiers found him, they killed him and proceeded to cut up his body, burn the pieces, and mix his ashes with dung. Zwingli’s influence in the Reformation cannot be overstated. He stands as one of the greats of the movement that began in Europe and remains today. Protestants throughout the world owe a great deal to Ulrich Zwingli.

A Little Humor

Little Richard came home from Sunday school and was asked by his grandfather what they had studied at church. His reply was, “Nothing!” “Didn’t you study Jesus?” asked his grandfather. Richard’s reply was, “No, he wasn’t even there.”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Christ offers comfort for the grieving and cleansing for the guilty!”