DONNIE DAILY GEMS FOR FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15:
WORD OF WISDOM
The well from which we receive grace is also filled by sharing it with
others.
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DAILY DEVOTION
Enjoy Your Work
"Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to
drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun
all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. Every
man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power
to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this
is the gift of God. For he shall not much remember the days of his life;
because God answereth him in the joy of his heart."
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
It is not an exaggeration to say that many people do not enjoy their jobs.
The image of people trudging off to labor they dread fills our culture, from
comedy to drama to academic studies. There is an old story about a man who
said, "I dig ditches to earn money to buy bread to give me strength to dig
ditches." There are many who are just putting in their time, dreaming of the
day when they can retire. For most people in our society, work is at best a
necessary evil.
The Bible, however, does not present work as something to be dreaded, but
something to be celebrated and enjoyed. In fact, we should be grateful that
God has given us the ability to work. Work is God's plan for building His
kingdom, providing for our needs, and equipping us with the financial
resources to help others. Work is not a curse or an evil, but a gift, and we
should treat it as such. If we adopt the attitude of the world toward work,
choosing to gripe and complain rather than rejoice, we are cheating
ourselves of the blessing that comes with joyful labor. The task may not be
pleasant or easy, but it has a purpose, and we should do it with glad
hearts.
Rejoice in what God has given you the ability to do, and be diligent about
your labor.
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DAILY BIBLE READING
Daniel 4-6New King James Version (NKJV)
Nebuchadnezzar's Second Dream
4 Nebuchadnezzar the king,
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
2 I thought it good to declare the signs and wonders that the Most High God
has worked for me.
3
How great are His signs,
And how mighty His wonders!
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And His dominion is from generation to generation.
4 I, Nebuchadnezzar, was at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace.
5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts on my bed and the
visions of my head troubled me. 6 Therefore I issued a decree to bring in
all the wise men of Babylon before me, that they might make known to me the
interpretation of the dream. 7 Then the magicians, the astrologers, the
Chaldeans, and the soothsayers came in, and I told them the dream; but they
did not make known to me its interpretation. 8 But at last Daniel came
before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him
is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: 9
"Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the
Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of
my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.
10 "These were the visions of my head while on my bed:
I was looking, and behold,
A tree in the midst of the earth,
And its height was great.
11
The tree grew and became strong;
Its height reached to the heavens,
And it could be seen to the ends of all the earth.
12
Its leaves were lovely,
Its fruit abundant,
And in it was food for all.
The beasts of the field found shade under it,
The birds of the heavens dwelt in its branches,
And all flesh was fed from it.
13 "I saw in the visions of my head while on my bed, and there was a
watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven. 14 He cried aloud and said
thus:
'Chop down the tree and cut off its branches,
Strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit.
Let the beasts get out from under it,
And the birds from its branches.
15
Nevertheless leave the stump and roots in the earth,
Bound with a band of iron and bronze,
In the tender grass of the field.
Let it be wet with the dew of heaven,
And let him graze with the beasts
On the grass of the earth.
16
Let his heart be changed from that of a man,
Let him be given the heart of a beast,
And let seven times[a] pass over him.
17
'This decision is by the decree of the watchers,
And the sentence by the word of the holy ones,
In order that the living may know
That the Most High rules in the kingdom of men,
Gives it to whomever He will,
And sets over it the lowest of men.'
18 "This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, have seen. Now you, Belteshazzar,
declare its interpretation, since all the wise men of my kingdom are not
able to make known to me the interpretation; but you are able, for the
Spirit of the Holy God is in you."
Daniel Explains the Second Dream
19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonished for a time, and
his thoughts troubled him. So the king spoke, and said, "Belteshazzar, do
not let the dream or its interpretation trouble you." Belteshazzar answered
and said, "My lord, may the dream concern those who hate you, and its
interpretation concern your enemies!
20 "The tree that you saw, which grew and became strong, whose height
reached to the heavens and which could be seen by all the earth, 21 whose
leaves were lovely and its fruit abundant, in which was food for all, under
which the beasts of the field dwelt, and in whose branches the birds of the
heaven had their home- 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become
strong; for your greatness has grown and reaches to the heavens, and your
dominion to the end of the earth.
23 "And inasmuch as the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from
heaven and saying, 'Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave its stump
and roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze in the tender
grass of the field; let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let him graze
with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him'; 24 this is
the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which
has come upon my lord the king: 25 They shall drive you from men, your
dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make you eat
grass like oxen. They shall wet you with the dew of heaven, and seven times
shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom
of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses.
26 "And inasmuch as they gave the command to leave the stump and roots of
the tree, your kingdom shall be assured to you, after you come to know that
Heaven rules. 27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you;
break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy
to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity."
Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation
28 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar. 29 At the end of the twelve
months he was walking about the royal palace of Babylon. 30 The king spoke,
saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling
by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty?"
31 While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven:
"King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from
you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with
the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven
times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the
kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."
33 That very hour the word was fulfilled concerning Nebuchadnezzar; he was
driven from men and ate grass like oxen; his body was wet with the dew of
heaven till his hair had grown like eagles' feathers and his nails like
birds' claws.
Nebuchadnezzar Praises God
34 And at the end of the time[b] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to
heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and
praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
35
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, "What have You done?"
36 At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my
kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles
resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was
added to me. 37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King
of heaven, all of whose works are truth, and His ways justice. And those who
walk in pride He is able to put down.
Belshazzar's Feast
5 Belshazzar the king made a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and
drank wine in the presence of the thousand. 2 While he tasted the wine,
Belshazzar gave the command to bring the gold and silver vessels which his
father Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple which had been in Jerusalem,
that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from
them. 3 Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken from the
temple of the house of God which had been in Jerusalem; and the king and his
lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. 4 They drank wine,
and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
5 In the same hour the fingers of a man's hand appeared and wrote opposite
the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace; and the king
saw the part of the hand that wrote. 6 Then the king's countenance changed,
and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his hips were loosened
and his knees knocked against each other. 7 The king cried aloud to bring
in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. The king spoke,
saying to the wise men of Babylon, "Whoever reads this writing, and tells me
its interpretation, shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold
around his neck; and he shall be the third ruler in the kingdom." 8 Now all
the king's wise men came, but they could not read the writing, or make known
to the king its interpretation. 9 Then King Belshazzar was greatly
troubled, his countenance was changed, and his lords were astonished.
10 The queen, because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the
banquet hall. The queen spoke, saying, "O king, live forever! Do not let
your thoughts trouble you, nor let your countenance change. 11 There is a
man in your kingdom in whom is the Spirit of the Holy God. And in the days
of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the
gods, were found in him; and King Nebuchadnezzar your father-your father the
king-made him chief of the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and
soothsayers. 12 Inasmuch as an excellent spirit, knowledge, understanding,
interpreting dreams, solving riddles, and explaining enigmas[c] were found
in this Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar, now let Daniel be called,
and he will give the interpretation."
The Writing on the Wall Explained
13 Then Daniel was brought in before the king. The king spoke, and said to
Daniel, "Are you that Daniel who is one of the captives[d] from Judah, whom
my father the king brought from Judah? 14 I have heard of you, that the
Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent
wisdom are found in you. 15 Now the wise men, the astrologers, have been
brought in before me, that they should read this writing and make known to
me its interpretation, but they could not give the interpretation of the
thing. 16 And I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations and
explain enigmas. Now if you can read the writing and make known to me its
interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold
around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom."
17 Then Daniel answered, and said before the king, "Let your gifts be for
yourself, and give your rewards to another; yet I will read the writing to
the king, and make known to him the interpretation. 18 O king, the Most
High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and
honor. 19 And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples,
nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished,
he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set
up; and whomever he wished, he put down. 20 But when his heart was lifted
up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly
throne, and they took his glory from him. 21 Then he was driven from the
sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with
the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet
with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the
kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
22 "But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you
knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of
heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and
your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And
you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and
stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath
in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified. 24 Then the
fingers[e] of the hand were sent from Him, and this writing was written.
25 "And this is the inscription that was written:
MENE,[f] MENE, TEKEL,[g] UPHARSIN.[h]
26 This is the interpretation of each word. MENE: God has numbered your
kingdom, and finished it; 27 TEKEL: You have been weighed in the balances,
and found wanting; 28 PERES: Your kingdom has been divided, and given to
the Medes and Persians."[i] 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they
clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made
a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the
kingdom.
Belshazzar's Fall
30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And
Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.
The Plot Against Daniel
6 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps,
to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom
Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the
king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above
the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the
king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors
and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the
kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful;
nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We
shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him
concerning the law of his God."
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to
him: "King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the
administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted
together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that
whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall
be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign
the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes
and Persians, which does not alter." 9 Therefore King Darius signed the
written decree.
Daniel in the Lions' Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in
his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his
knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as
was his custom since early days.
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[j] 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." 17 Then a stone was brought and
laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet
ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel
might not be changed.
Daniel Saved from the Lions
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no
musicians[k] were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then
the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of
lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice
to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living
God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from
the lions?"
21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His
angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I
was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before
you."
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should
take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no
injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
Darius Honors God
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused
Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions-them, their children, and
their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in
pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and
fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27
He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus
the Persian.
Footnotes:
a.Daniel 4:16 Possibly seven years, and so in verses 23, 25, and 32
b.Daniel 4:34 Literally days
c.Daniel 5:12 Literally untying knots, and so in verse 16
d.Daniel 5:13 Literally of the sons of the captivity
e.Daniel 5:24 Literally palm
f.Daniel 5:25 Literally a mina (50 shekels) from the verb "to number"
g.Daniel 5:25 Literally a shekel from the verb "to weigh"
h.Daniel 5:25 Literally and half-shekels from the verb "to divide"
i.Daniel 5:28 Aramaic Paras, consonant with Peres
j.Daniel 6:13 Literally of the sons of the captivity
k.Daniel 6:18 Exact meaning unknown
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James VersionR. Copyright C 1982 by Thomas
Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
