The Bible Standard - Re-Discover the Truth.

Once again our readings have several lessons we can take and meditate upon and apply to ourselves.  The account of Daniel’s life jumps forward to when the Medes and Persians are in power, as with Jeremiah, the chapters are not in time order. The high esteem in which the mature Daniel is held causes jealousy and when “presidents and satraps” knew that “the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” [6 v.3] they contemplated how they might act to prevent this, “but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.   Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” [v.4,5]  Could the same things be said about you or I?These men “came by agreement to the king” and said that they “are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.”[v.7]   The king agrees.  “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”[V.10] This was Daniel’s habit – how valuable to develop good habits like this, but our world is now developing habits, not all of which are necessarily bad, but they are not good either.  The habits around us influence us – unless we are strong in faith and commitment – as Daniel was. The Apostle Paul told the Romans that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” [8 v.28]  Let us realise that this is for the “good” of God’s purpose, some things might not seem “good” for us – at first. The plotters plan succeeds, but Daniel is protected by the power of God from the lions. The plotters suffer!  Now we see how Daniel’s faithfulness  works “for good” in another way for after Darius sees the wonder of the protection the true God can provide he wrote “to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: ‘Peace be multiplied to you.  I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth” [v.25-27] What longer term affect did this have?  We meditate on the account of Queen Esther and influence of the Jews in time of the Medes and Persians. How wonderfully do “all things” work together for the good of God’s purpose.Finally,  we can visualize similar decrees going forth when our Lord returns and the marvelling of those blessed to be there – let us pray for that day to come soon – praying at least “three times a day”.     

We felt we could have written a ‘book’ of ‘thoughts’ arising from today’s 4 chapters – each will, if read with real feeling, stir our hearts and lift them into meaningful spiritual perceptions.   In Chronicles the events in the life of King Joash contained absorbing lessons. He became king when only 7 under special circumstances, he was guided for most of his life by the faithful high priest Jehoiada and while he was alive Joash acted wisely and the Temple was restored to its former glory and the nation prospered.We can see comparisons with the restoration of the knowledge of God’s word when printing was invented and the Bible became available everywhere and respect for its’ divine message spread through the world. Jehoiada found wives for the king and obviously mentored him.  Sadly after the death of Jehoiada, “the king listened to … the princes of Judah” [24 v.17] – other members of the royal family – who, not appreciating the spiritual values Jehoiada had put in place, “they abandoned the temple of the LORD” [v.18].  As a result “wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem”.   When “the son of Jehoiada” challenged them,  “they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD” [v.21].  After his death “God sent prophets among them to bring them back to the LORD…  These testified … but they would not pay attention.” [v.19]God judged the king and the nation and “at the end of the year, the army of the Syrians came against Joash.” [v.23] and he died as a result of his wounds.   We see the comparison with today – and the impending judgements of God on a world that has turned away from belief in its’ Creator and sustainer, despite God’s word being so readily available, but “they will not pay attention.”Our chapter 5 in Daniel describes events leading to the end of the Babylonian kingdom that Nebuchadnezzar set up, despite how he finally found and wrote praises  and “blessed the Most High” as we read yesterday; his descendent (grandson?) Belshazzar, was blind to these blessings. The message the aged Daniel brought to him was “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end … you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting.” [v.26,27] And God has surely nearly completed ‘weighing’ our richly blessed world and found it seriously “wanting” that is, totally lacking, in any effort to “pay attention” to him.  But the final question is surely to us personally, how effectively do we “pay attention“? 

A @Christadelphians Video: Description: Jews currently suffer worldwide castigation and condemnation. It is a historical fact that similar excoriation turned to mass murder in Nazi Germany but from that atrocity the “Kinderstransport” saved the lives of thousands of Jewish children. This presentation outlines some Christadelphian involvement in the Kindertransport to show that “doctrine impacts actions”. Christ’s teachings must have an effect on our lives too. [Provable Bible Truth - What question does this video answer, and why watch it?]This video answers why Christadelphians took part in the Kindertransport, and why that proves Bible truth matters. We watch because it shows doctrine impacts actions. Our belief in God’s promises to Abraham, that true Christians love Jews because Jesus was a Jew, and that we should do good unto all men, moved us to rescue. Christadelphians sponsored about 250 of 10,000 children—the greatest proportion of any group. Featured survivor Ursula Mayer’s testimony shows how faith, courage and Scripture-based love saved lives. It asks us: how do our doctrines impact our actions today?

Audio Book: The Path of Prayer – by John H. MorrisRead by Paul Cresswell | Freely Available to ListenHave you ever wondered how prayer can bring you closer to God, strengthen your faith, and help you face life's challenges with greater confidence and peace? Prayer is far more than simply asking for help. It is a wonderful privilege, an opportunity to draw near to our Heavenly Father, share our deepest concerns, express our gratitude, and seek His guidance in every aspect of our lives.In The Path of Prayer, Christadelphian author John H. Morris takes us on an inspiring journey through the Scriptures, exploring the beauty, purpose and power of prayer. With thoughtful Biblical insights and practical encouragement, this book invites us to examine our own approach to prayer and discover how a more meaningful prayer life can strengthen our relationship with God.Warmly narrated by Paul Cresswell, this freely available audiobook is an invitation to pause, reflect and rediscover the wonderful privilege of speaking to our Heavenly Father. Whether you are new to the Bible or have been walking in faith for many years, The Path of Prayer offers valuable encouragement for everyone seeking a closer relationship with God.Why not take some time to listen? This uplifting audiobook is completely free and could help transform the way you think about prayer.

What is it to receive God’s word?   Countless millions have read God’s word.  Go back into ancient history; the world before Noah, his wife and family, turned right away from God.  Soon the descendants of Noah were turning away again, resulting in God confounding human languages at Babel, a word which is significantly translated into Greek as Babylon. Then God saw in the man Abraham, a man of true faith.  God had many dealings with him and we read 2 days ago in 2 Chron 20 the prayer of King Jehoshaphat as he stood before the assembly and made an impassioned prayer to the LORD saying they were “the descendents of Abraham your friend.” [v.7]  But the quite common Hebrew word here is almost always translated elsewhere as love and loves!  In God’s message through Isaiah he is addressed “the offspring of Abraham, my friend” [41 v.8], it is the same Hebrew word. In a few days we will read Daniel’s desperate “prayer and pleas for mercy … O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him …” [Ch.9 v.3,4]  “Love” is the same Hebrew word!As we read John’s Gospel earlier this month we saw Jesus’ response to those who proudly said, “Abraham is our father” – meriting the response, “If you were Abraham’s children you would be doing what Abraham did’ ” [8 v.39]   It maybe that some of these were hearing Peter’s speech which we read today in Acts 2.  The effect of the Spirit inspired preaching of Peter caused many to be “cut to the heart” [v.37] and “with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them saying, ‘Save yourselves from this crooked generation’ so those who received his word were baptised” [v.40-41]  What a crooked generation it is today!Back to our opening question; “What is it to RECEIVE God’s word?” It is one thing to hear (or to read), it is something else to “receive.”  The ‘receiving’ means that God’s word becomes part of your thinking – and therefore of your doing.  And “those who received his word and were baptised and “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” [v.42]. Before Christ returns may more receive God’s word and do this.