{"id":22365,"date":"2024-08-30T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailchi.mp\/urc\/friday-30th-august-2024"},"modified":"2024-08-30T06:00:00","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T05:00:00","slug":"friday-30th-august-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/friday-30th-august-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Friday 30th August 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"

Daniel 6: 1 – 8<\/strong><\/p>\n

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom,and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom. So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. The men said, \u2018We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.\u2019 So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king and said to him, \u2018O King Darius, live for ever!  All the presidents of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counsellors and the governors, are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.  Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.\u2019  Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

The story of Daniel and the lions\u2019 den is full of dramatic themes: jealousy, vanity, integrity, the power and preservation of God \u2013 and the lions will arrive tomorrow. <\/p>\n

Daniel, like Jesus, was faithful to God and to his duties and no negligence or corruption could be found in him.  He was in favour with the king for his honesty and excellent spirit. It appears the king does not bar Daniel from observing his faith and religion.  It\u2019s all one to the king, as long as he does his work faithfully. But this upsets the others in charge, corrupted by their own power. The satraps were governors of their own provinces and had considerable autonomy as viceroys.  The term \u2018satrap\u2019 came to suggest tyranny or ostentatious splendour \u2013 the modern usage is pejorative with unfavourable connotations of corruption.  So they are offended by Daniel\u2019s \u2018squeaky cleanliness\u2019.  They do not try to bear false witness against him, however, but make the king enforce an unreasonable demand that they know Daniel won\u2019t obey.<\/p>\n

What an affront to forbid praying to God!  And it\u2019s not just Daniel it affects, or even just his Jewish compatriots in exile, it\u2019s cutting everyone off from approaching God.<\/p>\n

In the Covid pandemic, everyone was barred from attending places of worship, and that was tough for many people. In times of religious persecution throughout history, people have been driven to meet and pray in secret. But nothing can stop us from praying and calling to God for help, whatever desperate circumstances we may find ourselves in.  Living our faith means being loyal to God at all times.  Daniel is an example of being faithful, honest and reliable that we can all aspire to follow.<\/p>\n

Prayer  ( Rejoice and Sing 532) <\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord of all being, I give you my all;
if e\u2019er I disown you, I stumble and fall;
but, led in your service your word to obey
I\u2019ll walk in your freedom to the end of the way.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Daniel 6: 1 – 8 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, stationed throughout the whole kingdom,and over them three presidents, including Daniel; to these the satraps gave account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because … <\/p>\n

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