Once upon a time, there lived a young man named Daniel. He was a kind and brave man who loved his friends, family, and most importantly, he loved God. Daniel always prayed to God every day and followed His commandments. At that time, Daniel lived in a big kingdom ruled by a powerful king called Darius.
King Darius really liked Daniel because he was wise, honest, and very good at his job. The king decided to make Daniel one of his most trusted advisors, which made some of his other advisors very jealous. These advisors plotted to get rid of Daniel. They tricked the king into making a law which said that nobody could pray to any god or person except the king for 30 days. Anyone who disobeyed this law would be thrown into a den filled with hungry lions.
Even though Daniel knew about the new law, he still prayed to God three times a day, just as he always did. When the wicked advisors found out, they ran to the king and told him that Daniel was breaking the law. When the king found out, he was extremely upset because he realized he had no choice but to punish Daniel. Although he liked Daniel, he had to follow the law. King Darius reluctantly ordered Daniel to be thrown into a den filled with hungry lions. The king hoped that God would save Daniel because he knew how faithful Daniel was.
King Darius was so worried about Daniel, he was unable to sleep that night. Early the next morning, he rushed down to the den to see if Daniel was still alive. The king called out to him and was overjoyed when Daniel replied. Daniel explained that God had sent an angel during the night to protect him, and that he was unharmed. King Darius was delighted. The king then declared that from that day on everyone in his kingdom should worship Daniel’s God, the one true God.
Meanwhile, the jealous advisors were all punished for their wicked deeds. The king had them thrown into the lions’ den, and they were pounced upon immediately. Daniel continued to be faithful to God all his life. He became a wise advisor to King Darius and helped make the kingdom a better place. People throughout the kingdom admired him for his bravery and his strong faith in God.
2 1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.
4-7 He wants not only us but everyone saved, you know, everyone to get to know the truth we’ve learned: that there’s one God and only one, and one Priest-Mediator between God and us—Jesus, who offered himself in exchange for everyone held captive by sin, to set them all free. Eventually the news is going to get out. This and this only has been my appointed work: getting this news to those who have never heard of God, and explaining how it works by simple faith and plain truth.
8-10 Since prayer is at the bottom of all this, what I want mostly is for men to pray—not shaking angry fists at enemies but raising holy hands to God. And I want women to get in there with the men in humility before God, not primping before a mirror or chasing the latest fashions but doing something beautiful for God and becoming beautiful doing it.
11-15 I don’t let women take over and tell the men what to do. They should study to be quiet and obedient along with everyone else. Adam was made first, then Eve; woman was deceived first—our pioneer in sin!—with Adam right on her heels. On the other hand, her childbearing brought about salvation, reversing Eve. But this salvation only comes to those who continue in faith, love, and holiness, gathering it all into maturity. You can depend on this.
It was my observation when collecting intel on Angelic Operations that a singular impact of their effort appears often – comfort. God reigns in heaven surrounded by a heavenly host of angels. In 1 Kings we read – I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, with all the host of heaven standing beside him to the right and to the left of him (1 Kings 22:19). Angels are always looking after us. Moses says — Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared (Exodus 23:20). They clear the path for our progress so we can serve God unfettered by troubles.
Angels are messengers of God; they reinforce his active presence in our world, they add credence to God’s justice, love, comfort, and protection. God’s love is revealed as angels announce the ministry of grace conducted by Jesus. Angels announced the birth of Ishmael (see Genesis 16:11) and Samson (see Judges 13:3-5). Angels announced the birth of John the Baptist (see Luke 1:19), the birth of Jesus (see Luke 1:26), and Jesus’ resurrection (see Matthew 28:5). David says — The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them (Psalms 34:7). This is comfort. Continue reading “Angelic Comfort”→
Shalom Talk 