No End Beginning…
A lazy spring day, long lunch with a friend, the perfect vacation – things we wish wouldn’t end.
It’s hard for us humans – endings. Simple things like a beautiful day are one thing but the death of a sweet friend? Unless…it’s not the end but a forever beginning.
A couple thousand years ago Daniel lived in a foreign land where those climbing the royal ladder lurked with traps. Daniel was oh so faithful to God and a reliable servant to King Darius. But a trap was set with a penalty of being put in the lion’s den – a gruesome, fear-filled way to die. The trap: any man who prays to any god or man except for King Darius, lion food. Daniel knew the decree but “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.” (Daniel 6:10b NIV)
When Daniel was hauled off he could have thought it was the end, begged for leniency. No resistance. Daniel knew what you and I need to grab hold of and not let go: God is with us. If we die in this world, we are still with Him. If the lion’s mouths are shut, we can still praise Him.
This is the truth about death when it comes to a child of God most high: “And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” (Daniel 6:23b NIV)
Life may scar us outwardly. The world may wound us inwardly. But someday we will be lifted out of the den and we will be whole and clean and found blameless. Because this is our Jesus promise: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NIV)
The no end beginning for Daniel? The king issued a new decree – ‘in every part of the kingdom people must reverence the God of Daniel’. “For 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.” (Daniel 6:26-27 NIV)
You, me – we have the living God who is never ending. He rescues and saves us – now and forever.
parisrenae 
You and I both had waterfall photos this week, Paris! Thank you for your take on Daniel’s journey and the good reminder that God is always with us. We may get beaten up by this world, but as long as we trust in God, our spiritual selves are unscathed!
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Wow, love your pics, such wonders you were able to see. Yes, so true, God calls us beautiful and so we are because of Jesus – He keeps safe and promises forever.
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I like this: “Daniel knew what you and I need to grab hold of and not let go: God is with us. If we die in this world, we are still with Him. If the lion’s mouths are shut, we can still praise Him.”
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Sent from my iLand iWish 🌺🌊🐠🙃
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Yes, if we can just lay hold of the fact that Jesus never leaves us, all our days we can rest in His peace and have much joy knowing forever is forever.
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