January 25, 2012
Darius was king when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den through the scheming and trickery of others. Webster definition of trickery is deception by tricks and stratagems.
Stratagem: 1) a trick to deceive or outwit the enemy; a deceptive scheme; 2) skill in deception.
Outwit: 1) to get the better of by superior cleverness.
It's 5:30 AM. I was awake so I decided to get up and start writing. I was surprised to find myself writing about "trickery" this morning. Daniel 9 has nothing to do with "trickery." I was only wanting to clarify the sequence of events. Belshazzar was king in Chapter 5, 7, and 8. Darius was king in Chapters 6 and 9. That was my only point of starting today's writings with the background information of who was king during the time period of Chapter 9. Daniel's discovery of what God's word said happened during the first year of Darius' reign. It doesn't say in Chapter 6 which year of reign it was when Daniel through trickery was thrown into the lion's den.
When I wrote the word "trickery" earlier, I decided to pick up my Webster Dictionary to read the definition. And that led me to looking up "stratagem" and then "outwit." It's always interesting to see where my writings take me. I have no plan. I read the section in the NCV, KJV, and NIV on one day, and I write about it the next day. While this chapter is not about trickery and it is about Daniel's discovery of God's Words and his prayers for his people, I want to first finish writing about the weird direction my writings took this morning before I move on to Chapter 9.
Trickery • stratagem • outwit • skill in deception • deceptive schemes. Compare those words to the Webster definition of ignorant: lacking knowledge • unaware • uninformed. There is a vast difference between being ignorant of a situation and unaware of what is going on behind the scenes and understanding the truth once you become aware. What I understand now (mid-storm) verses what I knew then (pre-storm) is light years apart.
I'm especially intrigued by the word stratagem and its definition. I don't know if or when I've heard that exact word before. Strategy • strategize • strategic. Those are words we hear all the time. I was just not personally familiar with the word stratagem.
Stratagem: 1) a trick to deceive or outwit the enemy; a deceptive scheme; 2) a skill in deception.
The only way you become skilled in deception is from years of practice. People can use stratagem and strategize all the want but it doesn't change this fact: God is in control and His will WILL be done.
There is a lot I would like to say here, but the details of "the storm" aren't important. I will just say that unbeknownst to us, secret stratagems were put in place for years! Even though we were ignorant (unaware) of what was going on, God knew! And in His Sovereignty, HIS plan of protection was put in place. The "secret" plans of man hold no power over us because NO scheme of man can ever take us from HIS hands. And, for that I am grateful. "The storm" will end. We WILL hear the words, "You Are Free to Go!"
Now, back to Daniel 9.
In Chapter 9 Daniel was reading scripture and saw that the LORD told Jeremiah they would be captive for 70 years. Even though he had lived his life faithfully he didn't separate himself from the sins of God's people when he prayed. He used such words as "we" and "our." Daniel fasted and he cried out to God for his help. Daniel 9:4 - "LORD, you are a great God who causes fear and wonder. You keep your agreement of love with all who love you and obey your commands." But LORD, we have sinned and done wrong, we did not listen, we have been wicked, we have turned against you, we are ashamed, we have sinned against you. Daniel 9:7 - "LORD, you are good and right..." Show mercy. Daniel 9:11 - "You brought on us the curses and promises of punishment" because of our sins. You said these things would happen, and you made them happen. Daniel 9:17 - "Now, our God, hear the prayers of your servant. Listen to my prayer for help." Have mercy, LORD. Forgive, LORD. Save us, LORD.
While Daniel was confessing his sins, and the sins of the people, God sent Gabriel to him to explain to him what was going to happen. Daniel 9:22-23 - "Daniel, I have come to give you wisdom and to help you understand. When you first started praying, an answer was given and I came to tell you, because God loves you very much."
Daniel understood an important truth: we are all sinners. There is great danger in separating "they" as sinners and "us" as saved. We are all sinners. We are all in need of God's mercy, salvation, and grace. If we don't put safeguards in place, we are all in danger of falling away. Daniel understood this. That is why he did not compromise and instead followed God's commands. (Daniel 1:8) It is why he continued to worship and pray even though it could cost him everything. (Daniel 6:10) It is why he was reading the scriptures. (Daniel 9:2) The same is true for us today. Safeguards must be in place. Our understanding of the
relationship must remain in the forefront of our minds. Our understanding that we are sinners by nature and it is only by God's grace we are saved must be engraved on our hearts. Our compassion for the lost must not be forgotten. Our faith and reliance must be in God alone.
Our life's purpose is to bring HIM honor and glory.
Next Entry: Daniel 10:1 – 12:13
Darius was king when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den through the scheming and trickery of others. Webster definition of trickery is deception by tricks and stratagems.
Stratagem: 1) a trick to deceive or outwit the enemy; a deceptive scheme; 2) skill in deception.
Outwit: 1) to get the better of by superior cleverness.
It's 5:30 AM. I was awake so I decided to get up and start writing. I was surprised to find myself writing about "trickery" this morning. Daniel 9 has nothing to do with "trickery." I was only wanting to clarify the sequence of events. Belshazzar was king in Chapter 5, 7, and 8. Darius was king in Chapters 6 and 9. That was my only point of starting today's writings with the background information of who was king during the time period of Chapter 9. Daniel's discovery of what God's word said happened during the first year of Darius' reign. It doesn't say in Chapter 6 which year of reign it was when Daniel through trickery was thrown into the lion's den.
When I wrote the word "trickery" earlier, I decided to pick up my Webster Dictionary to read the definition. And that led me to looking up "stratagem" and then "outwit." It's always interesting to see where my writings take me. I have no plan. I read the section in the NCV, KJV, and NIV on one day, and I write about it the next day. While this chapter is not about trickery and it is about Daniel's discovery of God's Words and his prayers for his people, I want to first finish writing about the weird direction my writings took this morning before I move on to Chapter 9.
Trickery • stratagem • outwit • skill in deception • deceptive schemes. Compare those words to the Webster definition of ignorant: lacking knowledge • unaware • uninformed. There is a vast difference between being ignorant of a situation and unaware of what is going on behind the scenes and understanding the truth once you become aware. What I understand now (mid-storm) verses what I knew then (pre-storm) is light years apart.
I'm especially intrigued by the word stratagem and its definition. I don't know if or when I've heard that exact word before. Strategy • strategize • strategic. Those are words we hear all the time. I was just not personally familiar with the word stratagem.
Stratagem: 1) a trick to deceive or outwit the enemy; a deceptive scheme; 2) a skill in deception.
The only way you become skilled in deception is from years of practice. People can use stratagem and strategize all the want but it doesn't change this fact: God is in control and His will WILL be done.
There is a lot I would like to say here, but the details of "the storm" aren't important. I will just say that unbeknownst to us, secret stratagems were put in place for years! Even though we were ignorant (unaware) of what was going on, God knew! And in His Sovereignty, HIS plan of protection was put in place. The "secret" plans of man hold no power over us because NO scheme of man can ever take us from HIS hands. And, for that I am grateful. "The storm" will end. We WILL hear the words, "You Are Free to Go!"
Now, back to Daniel 9.
In Chapter 9 Daniel was reading scripture and saw that the LORD told Jeremiah they would be captive for 70 years. Even though he had lived his life faithfully he didn't separate himself from the sins of God's people when he prayed. He used such words as "we" and "our." Daniel fasted and he cried out to God for his help. Daniel 9:4 - "LORD, you are a great God who causes fear and wonder. You keep your agreement of love with all who love you and obey your commands." But LORD, we have sinned and done wrong, we did not listen, we have been wicked, we have turned against you, we are ashamed, we have sinned against you. Daniel 9:7 - "LORD, you are good and right..." Show mercy. Daniel 9:11 - "You brought on us the curses and promises of punishment" because of our sins. You said these things would happen, and you made them happen. Daniel 9:17 - "Now, our God, hear the prayers of your servant. Listen to my prayer for help." Have mercy, LORD. Forgive, LORD. Save us, LORD.
While Daniel was confessing his sins, and the sins of the people, God sent Gabriel to him to explain to him what was going to happen. Daniel 9:22-23 - "Daniel, I have come to give you wisdom and to help you understand. When you first started praying, an answer was given and I came to tell you, because God loves you very much."
Daniel understood an important truth: we are all sinners. There is great danger in separating "they" as sinners and "us" as saved. We are all sinners. We are all in need of God's mercy, salvation, and grace. If we don't put safeguards in place, we are all in danger of falling away. Daniel understood this. That is why he did not compromise and instead followed God's commands. (Daniel 1:8) It is why he continued to worship and pray even though it could cost him everything. (Daniel 6:10) It is why he was reading the scriptures. (Daniel 9:2) The same is true for us today. Safeguards must be in place. Our understanding of the
God
↓
Man
Our life's purpose is to bring HIM honor and glory.
Next Entry: Daniel 10:1 – 12:13
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