Good morning
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“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” Daniel 6:10 NIV
They were on lockdown! The dreaded Babylonian exile was no joke, and the twin forces of jealousy and slander were in Full effect.
Most people reacted naturally. Praying was outlawed, so they ‘tan a dem yaad’ (stayed home); and not even behind closed doors did they utter a single peep to God. Not one word.
You see – many of us have the memories of elephants when holding grudges, but somehow get extremely forgetful when it comes to remembering God.
Not Daniel
He KNEW that the decree-gag order was prepared for him. He was the neighborhood praying nuisances and literal wise guy. His life was a challenge to his colleagues and they determined to silence his prayer. For they figured he couldn’t resist.
They hadn’t factored in One little detail – if Daniel was truly as close to God as he’d proven time and time again; God would probably have told Daniel what was coming. We don’t know whether Daniel was warned; but we know of Daniel’s response –
He flung the windows open and right there in his social distanced house, Daniel prayed. Not once, but THREE times daily. On his knees before the God of his salvation. With no fear of the gag order placed on him.
He was not out in the public square. He was not in a physical temple. But right there in his home, Daniel had an altar and worshipped!
My dears, our situation is not as stark as Daniel’s, though it feels strange to be separated from our places of worship. But they are exactly that – places. God sees our inward places and desires our worship from the inward places; our hearts.
We might not shout from our windows like those who applaud the workers on the frontlines; but prayer for ourselves, our families and the world ought to remain our priority; second only to strengthening our relationship with Jesus.
It is time to pray and praise
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
