Day 3: Rejection & Reception
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 does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is 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 labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men 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.”
Daniel 6
Repeat your prayers. Notice they found Daniel praying. He kept praying and making supplication. Jesus repeated his prayers. Paul repeated his prayers. Don’t have vain repetitions but say the same things if necessary.
Why would Daniel pray three times a day? He undoubtedly prayed for his enemies, prayed for his deliverance, prayed even for King Darius. And yes, Daniel undoubtedly prayed for himself, not only for his deliverance but also for his steadfast obedience against all odds and all opposition.
Rejection by men, but reception by God: Sometimes it seems our prayers are rejected. But remember the Syrophonecian woman in Mark 7:24-30. At first, Jesus seemed to call her and her daughter a dog. Yet she knew Jesus would heal her daughter. She did not lose faith. God always hears.
When the blind Bartimaeus cried out to “Jesus Son of David, have mercy on me,” those around him rebuked him and warned him to be quiet. That did not stop Barty! He cried out all the more, “JESUS SON OF DAVID HAVE MERCY ON ME.”
Mothers brought their children to be blessed by Jesus and the disciples tried to send them away, but Jesus would not reject the mothers nor their children. It may seem that others are rejecting you, but your prayers are not to them. It may seem that your own faith is rejecting your prayers, but you are not praying to yourself. The target of your prayers is heaven and the God who sits on the throne there.
Respected from others: Not all will reject you. God will respect your prayers but so also will godly people. Even Darius, not likely a believer, yet, respected Daniel, and as a result of Daniel’s faithfulness, the king knew that Daniel’s God would deliver him because he saw Daniel’s repeated prayer, the rejection of others and yet Daniel's prayers would be received by God.
Rejection and repetition should not dissuade us from praying and in fact the prayers which are prayed repeatedly in the midst of rejection are the prayer which are most respected by others and by God.
People of faith appreciate your prayers. If you are a true prayer warrior and resolve yourself to pray for others, people will notice and respect your stand. Dare to repeat those prayers of faith, despite the rejection of man and even the seeming indifference of God by His supposed silence.
He is not silent but rather allowing your prayers to find a resounding echo and increasing crescendo if you do not fall faint in your prayers.
No comments:
Post a Comment