[Ohio-Communities-of-Faith] DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14

[preacherdp1961 at gmail.com]

DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 14

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world
to come.

___

DAILY DEVOTION

Responding to Affliction


Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to
pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies,
and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did
set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built
for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. But the more they afflicted
them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of
the children of Israel.
Exodus 1:10-12

Many years after Joseph's interpretation of a prophetic dream and his wise
management saved the land of Egypt from a great famine, his contribution was
forgotten. As a result, the Israelites began to be regarded as potential
hostile strangers who posed a threat to the security of Egypt. So the new
Pharaoh made them slaves and forced them work on his building plans. His
plan was to keep the Israelites from growing any stronger, yet his
oppression had exactly the opposite result. God has a way of taking what the
world means for evil and changing it to produce exactly what He desires.
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt
thou restrain" (Psalm 76:10).
It is natural for us to assume that something is amiss when we face
opposition and hardship. I don't know anyone who is thrilled to be on the
receiving end of persecution or attack. In such a case we should examine our
lives and make sure the problem is not caused by something we have done.
Then we can confidently go forward, trusting God is in control. There are
times when the hard things in our lives are exactly what we need. Charles
Spurgeon said, "The cold water of persecution is often thrown on the
church's face to fetch her to herself when she is in a swoon of indolence or
pride." If we keep our faith in God through difficulty, those hardships will
only make us more fruitful for God.
The process by which God makes us more fruitful may not be easy or pleasant,
but it is necessary and good.

___

DAILY BIBLE READING

Daniel 1-3 New King James Version
Daniel and His Friends Obey God
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar
king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave
Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of [a]the
house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his
god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.

3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring
some of the children of Israel and some of the king's descendants and some
of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking,
gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had
ability to serve in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the
language and [b]literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for
them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he
drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time
they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of
Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of
the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah,
Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.

8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the
portion of the king's delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank;
therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile
himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and [c]goodwill of the
chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I
fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should
he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then
you would endanger my head before the king."

11 So Daniel said to [d]the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set
over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 "Please test your servants
for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13
Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the
young men who eat the portion of the king's delicacies; and as you see fit,
so deal with your servants." 14 So he consented with them in this matter,
and tested them ten days.

15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in
flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies.
16 Thus [e]the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine
that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all
literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and
dreams.

18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be
brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 Then the king [f]interviewed them, and among them all none was found like
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the
king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king
examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and
astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the
first year of King Cyrus.

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
2 Now in the second year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, Nebuchadnezzar had
dreams; and his spirit was so troubled that his sleep left him. 2 Then the
king gave the command to call the magicians, the astrologers, the sorcerers,
and the Chaldeans to tell the king his dreams. So they came and stood before
the king. 3 And the king said to them, "I have had a dream, and my spirit is
anxious to [g]know the dream."

4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic, "O[h] king, live forever!
Tell your servants the dream, and we will give the interpretation."

5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, "My [i]decision is firm: if
you do not make known the dream to me, and its interpretation, you shall be
cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made an ash heap. 6 However, if you
tell the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts,
rewards, and great honor. Therefore tell me the dream and its
interpretation."

7 They answered again and said, "Let the king tell his servants the dream,
and we will give its interpretation."

8 The king answered and said, "I know for certain that you would gain time,
because you see that my decision is firm: 9 if you do not make known the
dream to me, there is only one decree for you! For you have agreed to speak
lying and corrupt words before me till the [j]time has changed. Therefore
tell me the dream, and I shall know that you can [k]give me its
interpretation."

10 The Chaldeans answered the king, and said, "There is not a man on earth
who can tell the king's matter; therefore no king, lord, or ruler has ever
asked such things of any magician, astrologer, or Chaldean. 11 It is a
[l]difficult thing that the king requests, and there is no other who can
tell it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh."

12 For this reason the king was angry and very furious, and gave the command
to destroy all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree went out, and they
began killing the wise men; and they sought Daniel and his companions, to
kill them.

God Reveals Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
14 Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the
king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; 15 he
answered and said to Arioch the king's captain, "Why is the decree from the
king so [m]urgent?" Then Arioch made the decision known to Daniel.

16 So Daniel went in and asked the king to give him time, that he might tell
the king the interpretation. 17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the
decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, 18 that
they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so
that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise
men of Babylon. 19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
So Daniel blessed the God of heaven.

20 Daniel answered and said:

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

23 "I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king's [n]demand."

Daniel Explains the Dream
24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy
the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him: "Do not destroy the
wise men of Babylon; take me before the king, and I will tell the king the
interpretation."

25 Then Arioch quickly brought Daniel before the king, and said thus to him,
"I have found a man of the [o]captives of Judah, who will make known to the
king the interpretation."

26 The king answered and said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, "Are
you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen, and its
interpretation?"

27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, "The secret which
the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the
soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28 But there is a God in heaven who
reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be
in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed,
were these: 29 As for you, O king, thoughts came to your mind while on your
bed, about what would come to pass after this; and He who reveals secrets
has made known to you what will be. 30 But as for me, this secret has not
been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for
our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may
[p]know the thoughts of your heart.

31 "You, O king, were watching; and behold, a great image! This great image,
whose splendor was excellent, stood before you; and its form was awesome. 32
This image's head was of fine gold, its chest and arms of silver, its belly
and [q]thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and
partly of [r]clay. 34 You watched while a stone was cut out without hands,
which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in
pieces. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold
were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing
floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And
the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole
earth.

36 "This is the dream. Now we will tell the interpretation of it before the
king. 37 You, O king, are a king of kings. For the God of heaven has given
you a kingdom, power, strength, and glory; 38 and wherever the children of
men dwell, or the beasts of the field and the birds of the heaven, He has
given them into your hand, and has made you ruler over them all-you are this
head of gold. 39 But after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to
yours; then another, a third kingdom of bronze, which shall rule over all
the earth. 40 And the fourth kingdom shall be as strong as iron, inasmuch as
iron breaks in pieces and shatters everything; and like iron that crushes,
that kingdom will break in pieces and crush all the others. 41 Whereas you
saw the feet and toes, partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, the
kingdom shall be divided; yet the strength of the iron shall be in it, just
as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay. 42 And as the toes of the feet
were partly of iron and partly of clay, so the kingdom shall be partly
strong and partly [s]fragile. 43 As you saw iron mixed with ceramic clay,
they will mingle with the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one
another, just as iron does not mix with clay. 44 And in the days of these
kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be
destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall
[t]break in pieces and [u]consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand
forever. 45 Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain
without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay,
the silver, and the gold-the great God has made known to the king what will
come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is
sure."

Daniel and His Friends Promoted
46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and
commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The
king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord
of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." 48
Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him
ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all
the wise men of Babylon. 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego over the affairs of the province of
Babylon; but Daniel sat in [v]the gate of the king.

The Image of Gold
3 Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was [w]sixty
cubits and its width six cubits. He set it up in the plain of Dura, in the
province of Babylon. 2 And King Nebuchadnezzar sent word to gather together
the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the counselors, the
treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the officials of the
provinces, to come to the dedication of the image which King Nebuchadnezzar
had set up. 3 So the satraps, the administrators, the governors, the
counselors, the treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the
officials of the provinces gathered together for the dedication of the image
that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up; and they stood before the image that
Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then a herald cried [x]aloud: "To you it is
commanded, O peoples, nations, and languages, 5 that at the time you hear
the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all
kinds of music, you shall fall down and worship the gold image that King
Nebuchadnezzar has set up; 6 and whoever does not fall down and worship
shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."

7 So at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute,
harp, and lyre, in symphony with all kinds of music, all the people,
nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King
Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

Daniel's Friends Disobey the King
8 Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the
Jews. 9 They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever!
10 You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the
horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music,
shall fall down and worship the gold image; 11 and whoever does not fall
down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. 12
There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of
Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid
due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image
which you have set up."

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury, gave the command to bring
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. So they brought these men before the king.
14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I
have set up? 15 Now if you are ready at the time you hear the sound of the
horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music,
and you fall down and worship the image which I have made, good! But if you
do not worship, you shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning
fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you from my hands?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, "O
Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If that is
the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery
furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 But if not, let
it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we
worship the gold image which you have set up."

Saved in Fiery Trial
19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was full of fury, and the expression on his face
changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. He spoke and commanded that
they heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he
commanded certain mighty men of valor who were in his army to bind Shadrach,
Meshach, and Abed-Nego, and cast them into the burning fiery furnace. 21
Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and
their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery
furnace. 22 Therefore, because the king's command was [y]urgent, and the
furnace exceedingly hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke,
saying to his [z]counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst
of the fire?"

They answered and said to the king, "True, O king."

25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the
fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the[aa] Son
of God."

Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
26 Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the [ab]mouth of the burning fiery furnace
and spoke, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most
High God, come out, and come here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego
came from the midst of the fire. 27 And the satraps, administrators,
governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these
men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not
singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on
them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel[ac] and delivered His servants who trusted
in Him, and they have frustrated the king's word, and yielded their bodies,
that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29
Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks
anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be
cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is
no other God who can deliver like this."

30 Then the king [ad]promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the
province of Babylon.

Footnotes
Daniel 1:2 The temple
Daniel 1:4 Lit. writing or book
Daniel 1:9 kindness
Daniel 1:11 Or Melzar
Daniel 1:16 Or Melzar
Daniel 1:19 Lit. talked with them
Daniel 2:3 Or understand
Daniel 2:4 The original language of Daniel 2:4b through 7:28 is Aramaic.
Daniel 2:5 The command
Daniel 2:9 Situation
Daniel 2:9 Or declare to me
Daniel 2:11 Or rare
Daniel 2:15 Or harsh
Daniel 2:23 Lit. word
Daniel 2:25 Lit. sons of the captivity
Daniel 2:30 Understand
Daniel 2:32 Or sides
Daniel 2:33 Or baked clay, also vv. 34, 35, 42
Daniel 2:42 Or brittle
Daniel 2:44 Or crush
Daniel 2:44 Lit. put an end to
Daniel 2:49 The king's court
Daniel 3:1 About 90 feet
Daniel 3:4 Lit. with strength
Daniel 3:22 Or harsh
Daniel 3:24 High officials
Daniel 3:25 Or a son of the gods
Daniel 3:26 Lit. door
Daniel 3:28 Or angel
Daniel 3:30 Lit. caused to prosper