QT 28/09/2025 Mon. Daniel 6 We want Him to fix things, but not to rule us? 我们渴望祂解决问题，却不愿祂管理我们？
QT 28/09/2025 Mon. Daniel 6 We want Him to fix things, but not to rule us?
READ http://www.esv.org/daniel6
Scripture Focus: Daniel 6:10
"When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house... He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously." (Daniel 6:10, ESV)
(1) Faithfulness in Worship: A Habit of Holiness
Daniel 6 shows us a man of unshakable devotion. At this point in the story, Daniel is an old man—likely in his 80s—having served under multiple kings and empires. Despite political changes, power shifts, and threats to his life, his worship never changes.
Daniel’s response to the decree forbidding prayer to anyone but King Darius for 30 days is striking. He doesn’t argue, protest, or hide. He worships—openly, consistently, faithfully.
Daniel’s prayer life was not reactionary; it was rooted in discipline, gratitude, and dependence on God.
We often think of spiritual boldness as loud or confrontational, but Daniel's courage was quiet and constant. His windows were open “toward Jerusalem” (v.10), not as a show, but in remembrance of God’s promises. In exile, Daniel longed for God's presence, and that longing expressed itself in persistent prayer—even when it could cost him everything.
Daniel teaches us that: (a) True worship isn’t situational—it’s habitual. (b) Faithfulness isn’t proven in comfort—it’s revealed in crisis. (c) Our private devotion shapes our public witness.
(2) Why Didn't the Kings Learn?
Daniel served under three major kings in this book—Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. Each one encountered the living God in dramatic ways:
Nebuchadnezzar saw miracles, interpreted dreams, and was even humbled by madness (Daniel 4). He declared God's greatness, but his repentance was short-lived and pride returned.
Belshazzar mocked God by using temple vessels in a drunken party—and saw God’s judgment the same night (Daniel 5).
Darius witnessed God’s deliverance of Daniel from the lions and acknowledged God's power (Daniel 6:26-27), yet there is no record of personal devotion.
Why didn’t they truly learn that the LORD is God over all the earth?
(a) They acknowledged God's power, but not His lordship.
They were amazed by signs and wonders, but they didn’t surrender. There’s a big difference between being impressed by God and being transformed by Him.
“Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19)
(b) Their hearts were hardened by pride.
Even after divine encounters, their pride kept them from truly humbling themselves. Each king saw God act—but they didn’t want to give up their throne. Surrendering to God means laying down self-rule, and that’s what they refused to do.
(c) Their faith was circumstantial, not relational.
They responded to crisis but not to covenant. In contrast, Daniel knew God not just as a deliverer, but as a Father, King, and Friend. Daniel’s faith didn’t need signs—it was built on relationship.
Personal Reflection: Are We Like Daniel—or Like the Kings?
It’s easy to point fingers at the kings, but are we any different when we only seek God in emergencies? When we’re impressed by His power but unwilling to submit our lives? When we want Him to fix things, but not to rule us?
Daniel’s example invites us to cultivate a private life of worship that prepares us to stand firm when tested.
Closing Prayer
Father, make us like Daniel—faithful in worship, steadfast in prayer, and unwavering in devotion. Forgive us for the times we’ve been like the kings: amazed by You but unwilling to truly follow. Teach us that You are not just a powerful God, but the only true King, worthy of our obedience and our love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
QT 28/09/2025 星期一. 但以理书 6章 我们渴望祂解决问题，却不愿祂管理我们？
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/dan/6/
经文焦点：但以理书6:10
但以理知道这文告签署了以后，就上到自己家里楼顶上的房间，这房间的窗户朝向耶路撒冷开着；他一日三次双膝跪下，在他的 神面前祷告称谢，像往日一样。
(1) 敬拜中的忠心：圣洁的习惯
但以理书第六章向我们展现了一位坚定不移的敬虔者。事件此时的但以理已是耄耋老人——约八十岁高龄——历经数代君王与帝国更迭。纵使政局动荡、权柄更迭、性命受威胁，他的敬拜始终如一。
面对禁止三十日内向大流士王以外任何人祷告的诏令，但以理的回应令人震撼。他未曾辩驳、抗议或躲藏，而是公开、持续、忠实地敬拜。
但以理的祷告生活并非出于冲动，而是植根于纪律、感恩与对神的倚靠。
我们常将属灵的勇气理解为喧哗或对抗，但但以理的勇气却是安静而恒久的。他敞开窗户“朝向耶路撒冷”（第10节），并非作秀，而是为纪念神的应许。在异乡流亡中，但以理渴慕神的同在，这份渴慕化作持守不懈的祷告——纵使可能付出一切代价。
但以理教导我们：(a) 真敬拜不随境遇而变——乃是习惯使然；(b) 忠心不在安逸中显明——而在危难中彰显；(c) 私人敬虔塑造公共见证。
(2) 为何君王们未能引以为鉴？
但以理在此书中先后侍奉过三位主要君王——尼布甲尼撒、伯沙撒和大流士。每位君王都以戏剧性的方式遇见了永活的上帝：
《尼布甲尼撒》目睹神迹、解梦，甚至因发疯而谦卑（但以理书4章）。他宣告上帝的伟大，但悔改转瞬即逝，骄傲再度复燃。
《伯沙撒》在醉宴中亵渎圣殿器皿——当夜便遭神审判（但以理书5章）。
《大流士》亲眼见证神从狮子坑中拯救但以理，承认神的大能（但以理书6:26-27），却无个人敬虔的记载。
为何他们未能真正领悟耶和华是全地的主宰？
(a) 他们承认神的权能，却不承认祂的主权。
神迹奇事令他们惊叹，却未真正降服。被神震撼与被神改变，二者天差地别。
“你信 神只有一位，你信的不错；就连鬼魔也信，却是战兢。”（雅各书2:19）
(b) 骄傲使他们心硬。
即便经历神迹，骄傲仍阻碍他们真正谦卑。每位君王都目睹神作为——却不愿放弃王权。向神降服意味着放下自我统治，而这正是他们拒绝的。
(c) 他们的信心随境遇而变，而非建立在关系上。
他们只在危机时回应神，却不守立约之约。相较之下，但以理认识的神不仅是拯救者，更是父亲、君王与朋友。但以理的信心无需神迹印证——它根植于与神的关系。
个人反思：我们是但以理——还是诸王？
指责君王易如反掌，但当我们仅在危难时寻求神时，自己可有不同？当我们惊叹祂的大能却不愿顺服生命时？当我们求祂解决问题却不愿受祂统治时？
但以理的榜样召唤我们培养私下的敬拜生活，使我们在试炼中能站立得稳。
结束祷告
天父，求祢使我们效法但以理——在敬拜中忠心，在祷告中坚定，在奉献中无动摇。求祢赦免我们效法列王的时刻：惊叹祢的作为却不愿真正跟随。求祢教导我们：祢不仅是全能的神，更是唯一真王，配得我们的顺服与爱慕。奉耶稣的名祷告，阿们。
