SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:19-30 OBSERVATION: The fury of the world may be unleashed against those who choose to be loyal to the Lord. The heat of the fire kills the soldiers who bring them, but they don’t even smell like fire/smoke. God waits until the last possible moment, until they are in the fire. No doubt they…
Aug 6 — Daniel 3:1-18
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 3:1-18 OBSERVATION: What about Daniel? Maybe he was exempt because he was so high up. These guys are identified by their new Babylonian names. They are fully engaged in Babylonian life (Jeremiah 31:4-7), but they refuse to compromise their loyalty to God (Jeremiah 24:4-7). They are ‘in’ the world but not ‘of’ the world, and trust…
Aug 5 — Daniel 2:36-49
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:36-49 OBSERVATION: This story begins with God ‘defeated’ by the god of Babylon (symbolized by the temple relics placed in temple of Bel, 1:2), and His people ‘subjected’ to the king od Babylon (symbolized by Daniel, who name is changed to Belteshazzar, ie “prince of Bel”). This passage shows that God remains in charge,…
Aug 4 — Daniel 2:24-35
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:24-35 OBSERVATION: God speaks to Nebuchadnezzar through a vision/dream. He speaks to the wise men through a star (astrology, Matthew 2:1-12). God does not just speak to those who know Him, He speaks to everyone in a variety of ways. The role and task of His servants (Daniel) is to help others discern what God…
Aug 3 — Daniel 2:1-23
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 2:1-23 OBSERVATION: The true source of wisdom and power. The king had power to demand and execute, but not the wisdom to interpret; the wise men (including Daniel) had wisdom to interpret and explain, but not the power to read minds or stop the king. Daniel was wise enough to know that God has…
Aug 2 — Daniel 1:11-21
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:11-21 OBSERVATION: Daniel is confident that they will be more healthy with vegetables and water than the others on the king’s food. God’s favour sets these loyal youth apart from the others (v.17). In fact Daniel is said to outlast different kings until the year 539, the first year of King Cyrus, who allows…
Aug 1 — Daniel 1:1-10
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1:1-10 OBSERVATION: God allows Jerusalem to be defeated, the king (and others) to be exiled, and the temple relics to be brought into the temple of Babylon’s god. The God of Israel has been defeated, or so it appears. But God is still in charge, and Daniel and his friends represent all those who…
July 31 — Galatians 6:1-18
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6:1-18 OBSERVATION: Paul finishes his letter with a summary appeal to live the heart of the gospel: grace! Be gracious to those who stumble and struggle, and look for opportunities to do good to others, especially other believers and those who lead in the faith. Take sin seriously (you reap what you sow), but…
July 30 — Galatians 5:16-26
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:16-26 OBSERVATION: The key is to live by the Spirit, not by the sinful nature, nor by the law. To be LED by the Spirit means to look for His leading, listen for His voice, follow His promptings. It takes training and practice to do this, it is a discipline. The Spirit will not…
July 29 — Galatians 5:1-15
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 5:1-15 OBSERVATION: To return to old covenant ‘righteousness’ is to be separated from Christ. We are to put our confidence in Christ, imitate His love, and eagerly wait for the final declaration of righteousness on the last day. This is not an excuse to sin, but an opportunity to serve and love. Paul warns…