We saw Nebuchadnezzar come out with a hymn of praise to God in chapter 4. Here is Darius’ own version, with some very similar themes.
A letter of praise
ReadDaniel 6:25
• Who is this letter written to?
• What is he telling people to do?
This is similar to what we’ve seen earlier (in 3 v 28-29)—the God of Jews is given respect, and therefore His people are free to worship Him. That freedom has been won before, but with changes in rulers it often needs to be won again.
• What does Darius now know about:
• who God is?
• what God does?
It’s worth noticing how it is that Darius has come to know this. It’s through the conduct of God’s people, in this case Daniel: and through the goodness of God towards His people in saving them.
We may not know a king or face a lions’ den: but it’s still the case that people will be drawn to find the truth about God through the conduct of His people (us!); and through hearing about the goodness of God in saving us, not from a lions’ den
and for prosperity in life, but from hell and for eternal riches.
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APPLY
Read through Daniel 6:26 slowly and consider:
• Is this your picture of God?
• How does knowing that this is the God you serve encourage you?
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PRAY THRU
Spend a moment praising God for who He is. As well as Darius' words, you might like to use some of the truths expressed in this old hymn by Josiah Conder to guide your prayers.
The Lord is King! Lift up your voice,
O earth, and all you heavens rejoice;
From world to world the joy shall ring:
“The Lord omnipotent is King!”
The Lord is King! Who then shall dare
Resist his will, distrust his care,
Or murmur at His wise decrees,
Or doubt His royal promises.
One Lord, one empire, all secures;
He reigns—and life and death are yours,
Through earth and heaven one song
shall ring,
“The Lord omnipotent is King!”
What a God we are able to praise!
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This devotional is taken from Explore—a daily Bible-reading devotional from the good book company which enables you to engage with Scripture and which will encourage, equip and inspire you to live for Christ. Explore features contributions from pastors such as Dr Timothy Keller, Mike McKinley and Tim Chester.
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