Six hundred years before the birth of Jesus, the Mayan culture is flourishing in Mexico, construction begins on the Acropolis in Athens, Aesop writes his fables, Confucius and Buddha live, and Italy is introduced to the olive tree by the Greeks (personally, I love Italian food and I’m happy for this introduction).

During this time, Egypt attacks Babylon and the young prince Nebuchadnezzar chases them all the way down the Sinai.

On this conquest, and just before learning of his father’s death, and assuming the throne, Nebuchadnezzar attacks Jerusalem.

God allows Nebuchadnezzar to conquer Jerusalem who had wondered from the ways of God in idolatry and forsaking of the Sabbath.

Nebuchadnezzar takes back to Babylon vessels from the house of God and the best of Judah’s young men with a plot to indoctrinate them into the ways of his worldly kingdom.

Nebuchadnezzar was shrewd.

He knew if he could indoctrinate the best and the brightest of Jerusalem’s young, he would gain a victory no arrow of war could ever bring. (Let’s remember that)

For three years, Daniel, his famous three friends (with the hard-to-pronounce names) and other good-looking, gifted Jerusalem youth would be trained in the ways of the Babylon world. ( Let’s note that this is a year less than most of our college students spend being “trained” in our country. )

But God had a different plan. He will strengthen Daniel and his three friends to stand strong.

He will give Daniel prophecy, and He will use the book of Daniel to encourage His children that He is indeed in control and His ways are better than anything this world has to offer.

Through these holy words, written so long ago, God will inspire us to remember , “the people who know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits” (Dan 11:32)

Oh friend, may we be people who endeavor to know our God more than we know the ways of this world.

May we remember, “His dominion is an everlasting dominion and His kingdom is from generation to generation.” (Dan 4:34)

May we, like Daniel, “purpose in our hearts” to not defile ourselves with the deceptive delicacies of our culture. (Dan 1:8).

May Daniel and his friends inspire us to hold tight and know when the fiery trials come our way for refusing to follow the god of this age, that our God is more than able to deliver us, and even if He does not, may we still continue to worship Him above all. (Dan 3:18)

As we study the prophecies of Daniel that have already been fulfilled, may God inspire us to live our lives with an eternal focus, being sure that our God will do what He told Daniel He will do in the future as well.

May God, through the Holy Spirit, help us read His words of prophecy carefully, with spiritual understanding and excitement, as we remember our God reigns and is certainly coming again!

Oh friends, let’s pray. Let’s read. Let’s study together. Let’s be encouraged to hold on! Let’s resist the god of this age for our God is so very faithful!

readDaniel

readtheWord

I will be using the Enduring Word App and my Bible commentary as I study. As always, I appreciate your prayers to only ever write as God would have me.

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