Keep me safe, O God,
Psalm 16 (NLT)
for I have come to you for refuge.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.
As my vision continued that night, I saw someone like a son of man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into his presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)
OUR HUMAN CONDITION
We swing between two extremes. Either we drift into cynicism, supposing that evil prospers and death ends all. Or we try to convince ourselves that a new government, a change in leadership, some quick fix will save us. Only special people seem to catch the vision of God’s final kingdom of peace.
Reading
Young Daniel and his three friends; The fiery furnace
Two kings; Daniel in the lion’s den
Suffering Servant; Vision of God’s kingdom
What’s in a name?
Rename; Retrain; New Food
- Daniel – God is Judge
- Belteshazzar – Bel’s prince, protected by Bel
- Hananiah – Beloved of the Lord, YWH is gracious
- Shadrach – Illumined by the sun
- Mishael – Who is as God?
- Meshach – Who is like Shach? (a pagan love goddess)
- Azariah – The Lord is my help
- Abednego – The servant of Nego (a pagan fire/sun god)
Dictators of all ages have tried to eliminate God in their plans for world power and dominance.
World success is temporary.
The kingdom of Christ shall triumph over all.
God is supreme.
MARKS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Disciples keep the dream alive. The disciple has a sense of unity with the historic people of God and holds in the mind’s eye a vision of God’s kingdom. People of faith and commitment believe that ultimately God will be victorious and that God’s kingdom will endure forever.
Disciple
Reflection
- When you read about Daniel and his friends refusing foreign foods or declining to worship false gods even though it meant danger or death, what are your thoughts?
- As you read the apocalyptic visions in modern times, what spiritual truths come to your mind?
- Describe your vision of God’s kingdom that is your response to the cynicism of modern life or to the illusion that “things will get better soon.”
Food for Thought 