Quietly Overtaken, Merry Christmas

Week 6
Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy

"I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;
         For He is the living God and enduring forever,
         And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed,
         And His dominion will be forever."  Daniel 6:26 (NASB)

Somewhere in time, between chapters five and six of the Old Testament book recorded by Daniel, the Persian army overtook the Medes in Babylon. The king, Belshazzar, had become rather complacent. He believed that since the army was outside the walls of the city that meant he was safe. Not so. According to The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the Old Testament, the reason the city was overtaken by the Persians was due to the fact that the Euphrates River, which ran through the city, was diverted to the north. This nixed the barrier of water and the army was able to infiltrate the city. Who says we don't need to pay attention to what's going on around us?

Belshazzar was killed. The prophet and advisor Daniel was left. The new king, Cyrus (apparently also known as Darius) liked him (Daniel.) Daniel's coworkers didn't care for him very much, so they came up with a plan to get rid of him for good. Unfortunately their plan was foiled by The Highest Power. Daniel didn't let go of his faith. He held on to his integrity. The Lord was with him and saved him, literally, from the lion's jaws. The new king was impressed with the might of the one true God. He made the proclamation I have referenced above.

In light of what's happening with our nation these days, I offer this prayer:

Please, Heavenly Father, I ask for your mercy on our nation. I ask for peace in Jerusalem. Let your will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. Open our eyes to see how our wrong thinking, attitudes and resulting behavior have shown that are hearts are far from you. Turn us back to you, Father. We need your love to flow through us. Forgive us for covering up the light that you gave us. Lift the basket up off the lanterns we hold within our hearts so that we may shine your light once again. We say one thing and do the opposite. May we not be hypocrites! May we glorify your name. It has always been and will always be the name above all names. We give you praise that you sent your son for us. Thank you, Jesus, that you took the nails meant for me, for all of us. Our sin is equal. Help us to share with our fellow man the good news of your coming, life, death, and resurrection. We are so weak. Strengthen our resolve. I know you hear us and answer us according to our faith. I'm so glad you look at your children through the crimson flow of your son's blood. Thank you, Jesus that we are as freshly fallen snow because of you. 

We have for us a White Christmas not because of crystallized rain, but because of the cleansing consummated when Love came down from heaven. No matter the scenery of our landscape, if we keep Christ in us and let Him flow through us, Christmas will be. The peace is for those of us who believe. May our belief be transparent, flaky, and full of the seasoning of His great love.