A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES
                      
                                                  FAR FROM HOME PART XIV

"I, Daniel, learned that Darius the Mede put out a decree today... I serve him as one of his administrators even though I am not a Mede but a Hebrew.... I have served him well because I believe that in doing so I honour my God.... I have heard that the king plans to promote me to the top position in the Medo-Persian kingdom under him.... That reminds me of my forefather Joseph who was placed in top position under the Pharaoh in Egypt many years ago.... He too was in exile just as I am today.... Of course his circumstances were different from mine in that he was sold as a slave to Egypt by his own brothers while I was captured by soldiers of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon.... But there are similarities in our stories in that he too remained in his country of exile, Egypt, and I am still in my country of exile even though king Nebuchadnezzar has died and a king from another kingdom, king Darius the Mede, has taken over Babylon..... I have just come home and have read through a decree the king has written.... In it the king had made it clear that every citizen in his kingdom is to pray to him for the next thirty days.... No one is to be excused.... Anyone who disobeys this order will be thrown before the lions... But I know I can only kneel down before my God, the God of Israel.... I respect the king... I obey his orders.... But I cannot obey this order.... To obey this order would mean to disobey my God.... I cannot do so...I reminds me of another occasion may years ago.... I was very young then.... At that time I disobeyed the king by not eating the food and drinking the wine offered to me.... God protected me then.... I trust He will be with me as much as He was then....It is time for me to kneel down before my window facing Jerusalem to pray to my God... It may mean I will have to face the lions... But I am not afraid to do so... My God will be with me even in the lions' den.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn how Daniel responds to the king's decree....


                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                FAR FROM HOME PART XIV

At the request of the administrators in the Medo-Persian kingdom, king Darius the Mede has put out a decree that everyone must pray to him only for the next thirty days. Anyone who disobeys will be thrown before the lions. Daniel hears of this decree before going home. It is time for his prayers. Normally he will pray his prayers in front of an open window facing Jerusalem. But perhaps this time Daniel will give up this usual practice. Surely, even God will not mind if he stops praying in front of that window? After all, God will be able to hear his prayers even when they are prayed in another part of the room where no-one can see him. Moreover, his knees must be worn out because of all the kneeling he has done over the years and his body is, very likely, no longer strong enough to be able to fight off lions. Therefore, God will not mind if he changes his habit somehow so that his life can be preserved and he can continue to serve his God. But is that how Daniel reasons? Daniel 6:10 tells you what he does when he gets home

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

That day Daniel goes back home and he prays at his usual spot, in front of his open window facing Jerusalem

                                 A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   FAR FROM HOME PART XIII

"I, king Darius the Mede, had an unexpected visit this morning.... A group of my administrators and satraps came to see me..... I wondered what they wanted to talk to me about..... I noticed that my administrator Daniel was not among them.... I plan to promote him as administrator over my whole kingdom...... The other administrators may not be too pleased with my decision..... However, it is not for them to agree with my decision or not.... They will have to accept it whether or not they approve of it.... After all, I am the king and as such I am the only one who can make such decisions.... I did not ask my administrators why Daniel was not among them....They did not mention him either..... We had a very interesting meeting.... They proposed that I issue a decree that for the next thirty days everyone in my kingdom should pray to me only....Anyone who disobeys this decree will be thrown before lions.... I approved their proposal for it will bring me the honour that I deserve due to my position as king... Moreover, it will bring unity to  my kingdom... The decree has already gone out."....Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn of a decree king Darius has approved that everyone is to pray to him for the next thirty days....


                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                FAR FROM HOME PART XIII

The administrators of king Darius the Mede believe they have found a way to deal with their enemy Daniel as you can read in Daniel 6:6-9

So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said, "O, king Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, satraps, advisors and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered - in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." So king Darius put the decree in writing.

King Darius, no doubt very flattered by the request of his adminstrators, puts out the decree as requested by them. Their flattery has made him forget one very important thing and that is that his foolish action may well cause him to lose his most treasure servant Daniel to the lions. For Daniel has never in all his years of service at the Court giving up on worshipping the God of Israel.

                             A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                               FAR FROM HOME PART XII

"We, administrators under king Darius the Mede, are colleagues of Daniel the Hebrew..... We have worked with him for some time now.... We realise the king favours him over us.... We have heard that the king plans to promote him by placing him over the whole Medo-Persian kingdom.... That will mean he will be in charge of us.... That must never happen.... We have been looking for ways to get rid of him.... So far we have not been able to find anything that we can accuse him of... We heard that he never does anything wrong.... We tried to prove those who told us these things wrong.... But we have not been able to do so..... It looks like this man Daniel lives a completely clean life and has always done so.... We were at a loss how we could find something to charge him with.... But one of us then came up with this brilliant idea to accuse him of something related to the law of his God... We believe we can catch him out after all... We just know that Daniel's days are coming to an end... We can't wait to get rid of him.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn about the plot against Daniel by the administrators at the court of king Darius the Mede.


             ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                             FAR FROM HOME PART XII

Even though the administrators in the Medo-Persian kingdom have not been able to find fault with their enemy Daniel, they do not stop trying to take action against him. And it looks like they may have found something they can use against him as you can read in Daniel 6:5

Finally, these men said, "We will never have any basis for charges against this man Daniel, unless it has something to do with the law of his God."

These administrators have observed Daniel's total commitment to obeying the law of God. They plan to use his devotion to his God as a means of bringing accusations against him.

                                      A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                       FAR FROM HOME PART XI

"I, Daniel, am a Hebrew but I do not live in Jerusalem.... I live in the Medo-Persian kingdom... It used to be the Babylonian kingdom until it was taken over by king Darius the Mede.... He has made me one of his administrators.... The other administrators are not that friendly towards me..... They have never been that friendly towards me..... But it seems the situation has worsened..... I have heard that the king plans to put me in charge of his whole kingdom....Perhaps that is the reason they have begun to show such animosity towards me... I have been warned that they are trying to find ways to get rid of me... But I trust my God... He has protected me all my life.... And I am confident He will continue to do so."..., Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Daniel's colleagues are trying to bring charges against him...


                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                   FAR FROM HOME PART XI

Unfortunately, the administrators in the Medo-Persian kingdom are not as pleased with their colleague Daniel as king Darius is so they want to take action against him to get rid of him as we can read in Daniel 6:4

At this the administrators and satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

These men are not able to accuse Daniel of anything because he lives a life totally devoted to his Good and pleasing to Him. And is that how you live? Do you live your life in such a way that no-one can accuse you of any wrong doing?

 


                                 A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                FAR FROM HOME PART X

"I, Daniel, have seen kings come and go here in Babylon where I live even though I am a Hebrew.... I first of all served under king Bebuchadnezzar.... I served him for many years.... He was followed by king Belshazzar.... Sadly king Belshazzar never followed the example of king Nebuchadnezzar by acknowledging my God, the God of Israel, as the true God.... Today king Darius the Mede is in power.... I now serve under him as one of his administrators.... I am no longer a youth having lived in this nation since I was a teenager.... Thankfully God enables me to serve king Darius as well as I have served other kings before him.... I believe the king is pleased with my service to him.".... Please read out the typed out attachment when you will learn that king Darius plans to promote Daniel....


                ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                FAR FROM HOME PART X

King Darius the Mede is very pleased with Daniel's faithful service to him as you can read
in Daniel 6:3

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps  by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Daniel understands how important it is to serve the king well and the king has learned to trust him completely so he plans to promote him to the number one position under him in his kingdom.

                                    A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                    FAR FROM HOME PART IX

"I, Daniel have come out of semi-retirement... I served king Nebuchadnezzar for many years... I was only a teenager when I was taken to his country, Babylon.... I am now an old man.... King Nebuchadnezzar died some years ago... King Belshazzar took over from him... I did not have much interaction with him.... But I did see him the last night of his life.... At that time I interpreted for him the writing that had appeared on the wall.... That same night king Darius the Mede took over the kingdom.... He has brought me out of my semi-retirement.... And he has appointed me as one of the three administrators in his kingdom.... I trust the Lord will help me to faithfully serve king Darius, just as I faithfully served king Nebuchadnezzar.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Daniel was once again given an important function....



                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FAR FROM HOME PART IX

 Even though Daniel is around 80 years old when king Darius takes over the Babylonian kingdom, he remains at the Royal Court and now serves king Darius as you can read in Daniel 6:1-2

It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to him so that the king might not suffer loss.

Daniel remains faithful and loyal to the one he serves for he knows that he is not just serving a king, he is serving his God. Likewise, you too are to serve God in whatever you do for the Apostle Paul writes in I Corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
                       
                                 

                           A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                             FAR FROM HOME PART VIII

"I, Daniel, have lived in Babylon for many years.... I came to live here as a teenager with three of my friends.... We were taken here by the army of king Nebuchadnezzar from Jerusalem..... I have not been able to return to Jerusalem... But whenever I pray I pray in the direction of Jerusalem..... Many things have happened since I first came here.... I still do not eat the food and drink the wine from the king's table... My life is quieter these days.... You could say I am in semi-retirement..... I served king Nebuchadnezzar, the king whose army took me to Babylon, for many years.... He then died..... King Belshazzar took over from him.... However, he has not needed my services very much.... Until the other night.... I was resting in my house when my peace was disturbed by an urgent knock on the door....I was needed at the palace.... I went to see the king who looked very distressed.... I realised the reason for his distress was a writing on one of the walls in the dining hall....I told him the meaning of the words.... That same night king Belshazzar was killed... Another king, Darius the Mede, took the tbrone.... The Babylonian kingdom has come to an end and the Medo-Persian kingdom has now begun.....That kingdom will come to an end aswell.... But only when it is God's time for it to end... I wonder if God has a task for me in this new kingdom."... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn who takes over from king Belshazzar, who ruled after king Nebuchadnezzar....


                    ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                              FAR FROM HOME PART VIII 

Now you know that Daniel is only a young man when he makes this decision not to eat the food and drink the wine from the king's table.But does he remain committed to obeying his God as times goes on? After serving king Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel next serves king Belshazzar. This king so displeases God that God allows the Babylonians to be taken over by the Medes when king Belshazzar is killed as you can read in Daniel 5:30-31

That very night king Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two.

Daniel is, very likely, around 80 years old when Darius the Mede becomes king and the Babylonian kingdom becomes the Medo-Persian kingdom.

                               A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FAR FROM HOME PART VII

"I, Daniel, and my three friends have had to make a decision as to what we can eat and drink... That has not been easy to do.... The reason it has been challenging to do so is because we do not live in Jerusalem.... We live in Babylon.... However, we do not live here by choice.... We were taken here by the army of the king of Babylon.... We are now his prisoners.... Nevertheless, we are being taken care of well..... While here we have been put on a three-year program to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians... We have been given Babylonian names.... We have accepted all these challenges for we know that they will not turn us into Babylonians... We will remain Hebrews.... We were offered as well the best food and wine from the king's table.... However, we knew we could not take up that offer....Doing so would cause us to be disobedient to our God, the God of Israel.... So we have been eaten vegetables instead..... We are thriving on our diet.... Having said all that, we know too that we must not only watch what we eat... We must watch what we think and say and do.... No doubt that is not just for us... That is for anyone who wants to be pleasing to God.... Not just now, but any future believer ought to know how important it is to read, meditate and study God's Word.".... Please read the typed out attachment when you will learn the importance of focusing of God's Word just as Daniel knew and did....


                  ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                            FAR FROM HOME PART VII

You receive a renewed mind when you spend time reading, meditation and studying God's Word in order for you to learn think in a way that is pleasing to God. Having a renewed mind will cause you to speak in a way that is pleasing to God and will cause you to act in ways that show your love for God and for others as you can read in Luke 6:27-38 where Jesus says

"But I tell you who hear Me; Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" love those who love them. And if you are good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even "sinners" lend to "sinners" expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your Father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

                               A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FAR FROM HOME PART VI

"I, Daniel, have been exempted from eating the food and drinking the wine from the king's table here in Babylon..... The king's official has been very kind to me and my friends by allowing us to eat different food from others even though we are nothing more than prisoners of the king.... I doubt he understands our reason for refusing to eat the food and drink the wine from the king's table.... I did not explain to him that as Hebrews, we are restricted in what we can eat in order to obey our God.... It would not have made sense to him as a Babylonian and worshipping the Babylonian god.... I know that, apart from eating right, I need to think right and speak what is right."....please read the typed out attachment when you will learn that Daniel understood as well that apart from watching what came out his mouth, he needs to be careful what he would allow into his mind....


                 ATTACHMENT A PURPOSEFUL LIFE; OLD TESTAMENT STORIES

                                                 FAR FROM HOME PART VI

Daniel will have known that, apart from making the right choices as far as food and drink are concerned, he needed to be aware of what to think and say. You are to do the same as you can know from Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

This means that you will need to select what you read, what you watch, or what you listen to for these things affect your way of thinking. So there will be times when you need to make a choice and not watch something, read something, or listen to something for these things not only affect your thinking; they affect what you say. That can be awkward at times for you may well be tempted to compromise by reading something or watching something or listening to something that you know is not in line with the Word of God. You may even be tempted to think it does not matter for you believe no one else is aware of what you are doing. But remember, God knows for God sees everything you do. Therefore, act like Daniel did, and make a decision not to watch, not to read or not to listen to something you know will not please God for God wants you to have a renewed mind as you can read in Romans 12:2.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good and perfect will.