T H E K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S Why did not Daniel play the game which is so frequently played by pro fessional Christians? Why not close the windows that were usually open? No one would know, then. How could they prove it? Safety first, Daniel! You wouldn’t want to carry a Bible under your arm on the street, would you? or read it on the street car, as the Scientists do Mother Eddy’s book, would you? There must either be a lot of secret disciples or else the entire number is few. What is the use of subjecting oneself to annoying publicity? Why not do as the Romans do, when in Rome? Daniel was a busy man. He had great affairs of state to attend to. How could he find time to go apart three times a day? The great bulk of busy believers do not pray ten minutes a day, but there are not many Daniels among them,' either. Three times a day—prayer and thanksgiving! “ Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concern ing you.” (1 Thess. 5:17, 18). Daniel was an Old Testament saint. He lived about 2500 years ago. Had he lived in these wonderful days in which the evolution of man is so mani fest, he could not have been favored with much of a position among the ec- clesiasts. He would have made a poor religious politician. There is trouble before you, Daniel! We hear the laugh of the Committee on Pulpit Supply, and the roar of the hungry lions! The politicians had the dope on Dan iel. They had worked and caught him in the act; caught him praying! They had rightly estimated him. He was a real man. The trap had been wisely set and Daniel sprung it, they hurried to the king— one hundred and twenty-two men against one man! No doubt they are already discussing who shall be chief.
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spent the greater part of eighty years in a foreign land. He has always been true to Jehovah. He had seen Nebu chadnezzar and Bel- IiESSON shazzar pass away and EXPOSITION Darius, the king, had T. C. Horton found in him a wise counsellor and able helper, and had placed him at the head of the three presidents who had author ity over a hundred and twenty princes, or governors, in the kingdom. (Psa. 105:22) ‘‘To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.” This place of prominence, as is al most always the case, created a jealousy among the presidents and princes and t h e y , through political chicanery, sought to displace him. (1) THE DEVOTION OF DANIEL, vs. 10-13 “ He kneeled upon his knees and prayed.” Daniel was not only a good man, but he was God’s man. His character was unimpeachable. His loyalty to God and to his king was unquestionable. His political enemies planned hiS' destruc tion, but1knew they must reach him through his religious life (v. 5) “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find It against him concerning the law of his God.” and at their solicitation the king issued the thirty day decree concerning wor ship (v. 7) that “ whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” It was now a test of faith and faithfulness. Daniel played in the open. He followed his custom (v. 10). Three times a day upon his knees; before an open window; face toward Jerusalem, God’s dwelling place, where the mercy seat was and, where the visible pres ence of God was manifested; he prayed. (1 Ki. 8:30) “And hearken thou to the «application of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; and hear thou In heaven thy dwelling place; and when .thou hearest, forgive.”
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