Pray Fervently: Daniel In The Lion's Den

How are you my loyal readers? Lol.. For those who are new readers, I welcome all of you to my spiritual, nor religious blog. Today's post is created when I taught Sunday School children at my local church on October 19, 2014.

To be honest, I do not study deeply on The Book of Old Testament, especially The Prophets parts. You may agree that Old Testament is truly boring and difficult-to-digest book. However, as I read attentively and try to fully comprehend the book of Daniel--especially chapter 6:1-29 about "Daniel In The Lion's Den, I begin to understand the power of Faith and Prayer. It is a life-changing God's instrument.

If you read thoroughly from the first chapter, you will find that Daniel is a strong prayer man. He loves God and comes before Him regularly (three times a day). In chapter 6:1-29, you will find more about his unfailing faith and his amazing prayer life.

Please read this exciting passage because I will only emphasize on some important things. In this chapter, you will find Daniel still prays to God, eventhough he hears the bad news stated "whoever does not obey King Darius's commands, he or she will be thrown into the lion's den." He prayed even harder and put his faith to God alone. What a total submission we see.

In climax, Daniel was thrown into the lion's den. There, he did not feel afraid at all, instead he prayed fervently to God for protection. As you may guess, Daniel was totally saved by God's angel and came out from the lion's den flawlessly.

The passage tells us that God is able and willing to set His people free from fear. Daniel's way of life will hardly be found in today's world where people are getting busier and busier, however, God will empower and strengthen to do so. Daniel showed his loyalty to God despite in the midst of problems and challenges.





The crucial point of today is we can learn together that Daniel kept praying faithfully although he did not know what would lay ahead in his future. He did not know that he would be safe and sound in the lion's den. He did not know how God can save him from those roaring lions. He did not know anything about God's divine plans, yet one thing to be true is that he knew exactly that God would never leave him nor forsake him. He knew that God is there and is fighting for him.

Here is a great song that God is as far as a prayer, yet it is in Bahasa.

Questions to you now are:

1. Do you pray regularly (day and night)?

2. Do you pray because you long to communicate with God?

3. Do you pray by faith and trust His perfect plan?

4. Do you pray at night and say Amen in the next morning?

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
    Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!"

(Psalms 34:8 - ESV)

Have a nice day!

God bless you!

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com

Bible = Love Letter from God

How are you? I hope you are doing great this weekend.
Welcome to October and goodbye to September! Time flies so quick, doesn't it?
Let us start this month with joyful heart! Make your day worth it to live!

Today I will share about God's love letter or Bible. I am going to share with you from a prophet of Nehemiah 8:1-9. The story will mainly discuss about Prophet Nehemiah and Ezra who share Words of God in front of men and women before the Water Gate. 







As you read carefully through the whole verses, you will find that those men and women respect the Words of God. It was clearly indicated by worshipping and bowing their face to the ground, lifting their hands, and trying to understand the Words of God.


From Nehemiah 8:1-9, we can learn how people respect Words of God at that time. They have right attitudes towards Words of God. 

There is a Sunday school song in Bahasa--named "Bible, The Most Beautiful Book" and it says "Bible is the most beautiful book. It is a love letter from God." That proves that people have considered Bible as a beautiful and extraordinary book long long time ago.

You may question how an "ordinary" book can become a love letter and how to respond correctly towards Words of God like people at Nehemiah's time. To make it more simple, allow me give a real example of my life.

I ever got a love letter from a kind girl in 2011, almost four years ago. At that time, she gave the letter because we will study at different place. It means we cannot communicate very well. She says many motivational words to encourage and support me. She ever said,

"Don't be so emotional.." 

"Please let me know if you need my help. I will be very happy to help you.."

"Eventhough we are far physically, I hope we can keep in touch.."

and many many sweet and lovely words. Even I still remember almost all her words.

That was so memorable indeed. It is very touching as well, isn't it? 

It goes the same way as her love letter to me. As Christ had died for us and raised again, He entrust His love letter as a remembrance for you and me. His love letter will encourage and spur you more than you can ever imagine! As you may know, He made this gorgeous world in Book of Genesis through His own Words alone. His words is truly alive!

Reading Bible is a special moment, because God talks about His own heart and desires to you face-to-face or heart-to-heart. Nevertheless, the most important thing is, how would you respond to His words?

Will you get touched by His Words, even until your tear-drops fall down on your face?

Will your heart be so joyful when you hear Words of God or be so bored?

Will you remember His Words as your encouragement and motivation or just forget anyway?

Watch this heart-awakening video, named "His Love Letter to You" with Indonesian subtitle.

As a true acknowledgement that you love His words, please remember and exercise this short verse into your daily lives,

"Oh how I love your law!

    It is my meditation all the day."

(Psalms 119:97 - ESV)

God bless you!

He loves you :)

Brian Bernadi

brian.bernadi@yahoo.com