JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Faith-Building Verse is Daniel 6:10.

A decree was issued by King Darius forbidding prayer to anyone besides him. Anyone who disobeyed this decree would be thrown to the lions’ den.

When Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel’s faith spoke through his consistent prayer life. He was grateful to God for His many blessings from above. Not even the threat of death would prevent Daniel from spending time with God in prayer.

Daniel did go to the lions’ den, but did not die there. God rescued him, by shutting the mouths of the lions. Afterward, God was honored throughout the world because of Daniel’s faithful prayer.

This Faith-Building Verse inspires us to make time with God a daily priority in the Year of Relationship.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Good News Focus is on Daniel 6, verses 26 and 27.

After Daniel was delivered from the den of lions, King Darius wrote this message to all the nations of the earth, regarding Daniel’s God.

“He is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”

One of the metaphors for Satan is a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to devour, but we don’t have to live in fear of his power if we are close to God. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

The deliverance of Daniel from the lions’ den is an inspiring story, and it is also our spiritual reality when we are faithful to God.

Jesus is our Source of Good News, leading us to a place of deliverance from the spiritual forces of evil in the Year of Vision.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com