Three Times a Day

 

Three Times a Day!

 

Daniel 6:10-28

New King James Version

Daniel in the Lions’ Den

¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

¹¹ Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹² And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[a]does not alter.”

¹³ So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is ^[b]one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

¹⁴ And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he ^[c]labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ¹⁵ Then these men ^[d]approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” ¹⁷ Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

¹⁸ Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no ^[e]musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep ^[f]went from him. ¹⁹ Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. ²⁰ And when he came to the den, he cried out with a ^[g]lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

²¹ Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! ²² My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

²³ Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

²⁴ And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.

²⁵ Then King Darius wrote:

To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:

Peace be multiplied to you.

²⁶ I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.  For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.

²⁷ He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the ^[h]power of the lions.

²⁸ So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

 

Three times a day, Daniel prays.  Why can’t we do the same?  Prayer is a powerful thing.  Prophets, Priests, Holy Men, even Jesus prayed to God.  Miracles have happened because of prayer.

Daniel was arrested as we see because of his faith and that he kept on praying to God our Creator instead of an idol.  Can we possibly do the same?  I believe so if we pray God will protect us and guide us.  God never said worshipping him would be easy.  In fact, worship of God is extremely hard even in this day, and age.  There are countries where worshipping God is punished by death and/or imprisonment.

People are suffering because of their belief and faith.  It’s not easy.  By praying and worshipping God consistently we should be living examples.  People should be able to see our joy in worshipping God and come through him.

At my age, getting on my knees to pray isn’t easy.  Let me change that.  Getting down on my knees is very easy, it’s getting back up that gives me pause.  You don’t have to get down on your knees to pray, but it does help to humble yourself to him. Even I’m learning and trying to do this… Pray three times a day.  The best times for me to get on my knees to pray are when I’m getting up for the Day and when I’m going back to bed at night.  That’s two times, but what about the third.

I’m learning to speak and pray whenever I’m alone.  When I’m driving to places, when I take a walk to exercise.  I’m learning and challenge you to remember to kneel at least occasionally to pray.  It’s a different position that does help me at least feel closer to God.

Lord help me to pray to you more often.  Take my Heart, Mind, and Soul and help me follow you and your plan.  We know without you we would not be. May our faith grow stronger each day and please bless us in every way. Amen.