The Bullies

Day Five – Great People Give God Glory

The trap was set.  “Oh yeah, we’ve got the magic key in our hands. This law signed by Darius will take care of Daniel… bring him to ruin and end Darius’ plan to make Daniel the head honcho. Let’s sneak over to Daniel’s house and catch him praying. Ha Ha!”

The enemies of God’s man

roared with laughter. Daniel’s radical prayer life was about to back fire. The King had signed the decree, a law contrived by these governors, stating no one could

ask anything from anyone except Darius. Darius was pumped by the proclamation and quickly signed it.   

Daniel knew the law. He prayed anyway. To dishonor God was shameful. He couldn’t bear it.

Sneering messengers eagerly reported, “Your Majesty, you signed this law but guess who broke it? Oh yeah…your beloved Daniel.”

So Daniel was seized and thrown into the den of lions. But the king was sad. He didn’t sleep a wink all night. In the morning he sprinted to the lion’s den. “Daniel, did your God save you?”

“Your Majesty, my God has sent his

angels and shut the mouth of the lions.”

“Woo hoo!” shouted King Darius and without a second thought commanded the conspirators of Daniel to be thrown into the den of lions. Now what happened next is unbelievable—but it’s true!

Daniel’s once jeering enemies were now scared out of their wits. As soon as

they were pitched into the den, hungry lions devoured them in mid- air.   Their

bones rattled as they hit bottom!

Daniel was honored. His enemies were shamed, and the king made a decree that all nations should tremble before the God of Daniel.

” He alone is the living God, steadfast and sure. His kingdom is forever!”

Daniel 6:25-26

Daniel was bullied—too radical they said. But he was a leader—he made a

difference. So can you. Go for it!

Dear Lord, Help me. I want to honor You above all!

The Beast - Great People Give God Glory

The Beast

“and boasted, ’Look at this, Babylon the great! And I built it all by myself, a royal palace adequate to display my honor and glory!’"

Daniel 4:30 (MSG)

A once mighty monarch sat in the wilderness. He had long since gone wildly insane and become like a beast in the field.

As he ate the tender grass alongside the oxen, tears streaked his once regal face and he shrieked, “Oh my God, what have you done to me?

Look at my hands, Lord. My nails are like birds’ claws. My hair

has grown like eagles’ feathers. I loathe this grass and the dew wets my body each day.”

Cries pounded his broken soul. “I have become a beast. My kingdom is stripped away just as Daniel said. I paraded through my palace… was in awe of my grandeur. I…was the great

Nebuchadnezzar!

My pride has repulsed you. Now I am judged. Is there yet hope for me, God? Will you hear my plea, see my heart?  I have sinned against you. You…are God. Only you…are to be worshiped.”

And the great king fell on his face before God while sobs wracked his body. What happened next is not a fairy tale but the Word of the living unchangeable God!

“And I, Nebuchadnezzar, the once mighty king of Babylon had my mind restored

and my hands became once more virile and strong. My hair was transformed and glistened in the sun. And I rose up and worshiped the one true King and my kingdom was returned to me.”

Today you will find King Nebuchadnezzar somewhere around the throne of God

He will be worshiping the King whose kingdom has no end!

Dear Lord, I bow my knee to you. Use me for Your glory. I surrender. Thank you!