讀經： 但以理書六章10至16節 10但以理知道這禁令蓋了玉璽，就到自己家裡（他樓上的窗戶開向耶路撒冷），一日三次，雙膝跪在他神面前，禱告感謝，與素常一樣。 11那些人就紛紛聚集，見但以理在他神面前祈禱懇求。 12他們便進到王前，提王的禁令，說：王啊，三十日內不拘何人，若在王以外，或向神或向人求甚麼，必被扔在獅子坑中。王不是在這禁令上蓋了玉璽麼？王回答說：實有這事，照瑪代和波斯人的例是不可更改的。 13他們對王說：王啊，那被擄之猶大人中的但以理不理你，也不遵你蓋了玉璽的禁令，他竟一日三次祈禱。 14王聽見這話，就甚愁煩，一心要救但以理，籌劃解救他，直到日落的時候。 15那些人就紛紛聚集來見王，說：王啊，當知道瑪代人和波斯人有例，凡王所立的禁令和律例都不可更改。 16王下令，人就把但以理帶來，扔在獅子坑中。王對但以理說：你所常事奉的神，他必救你。 |
| 當但以理得悉王已立了禁令，除王以外不准向別神禱告，他有甚麼反應呢？ 在宮廷內發生的事情是很難守得住秘密的；一切的勾心鬥角、爾虞我詐和貪污腐敗，都很快引起流言。當但以理接獲王命之後，一定很快便察覺到該禁令是衝著他而來。但他對禁令的反應，卻非常值得我們學習。 首先，我們要留意的是，他沒有對王產生怨懟之心。他大可以這樣想：「哼，枉費我一直盡忠職守，他竟然這樣對我！」 他的內心究竟有沒有想過要妥協呢？撒但可能向他提議：「算了吧，禁令的有效期只不過是30天；停止禱告30天，也沒有甚麼大不了。」又或是：「你可以繼續禱告，只要換個方式便行。例如晚上趁沒有人看見，坐在床上禱告便行。」 倘若這些意念真的在但以理的腦際擦過，他顯然立即便拒絕了它們。第10節清楚告訴我們，他一如既往地跪在窗前，一日三次向神禱告。他甚至打開那些面對耶路撒冷聖殿的窗戶，讓街外的人清楚看見他禱告。他還跪下向神感恩──有甚麼可以感恩呢？神的良善和信實？他有否為到那些存心諂害他的人禱告呢？ 除了像素常一樣地公然祈禱，他也如常地工作。他這種平靜安穩的表現，充分證明他已將自己完全交在神的手中，且深信神掌管他的生命。即使他最終要死，他仍然深信神必與他同在。 我們遇到試煉的時候，會有甚麼反應呢？我們也許不需要面對但以理那種嚴峻的考驗。可是，當我們陷入人生的困境時，我們的禱告生活便備受考驗，我們究竟能否堅持禱告？其實，當我們面對考驗的時候，最需要的正是禱告；同時也是我們最需要見證信心的時刻。 請記著，任何法令或政權，都不能攔阻我們去到神的施恩座前禱告。 |
Bible Reading: Daniel 6:10-16 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 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." |
| What were Daniel's reactions when he learned that a decree had been signed stating that worship could only be directed to the king and no one else? There would not be many secrets in that Eastern Court. Intrigue, jealousy and corruption would be well-known. Daniel would quickly realize that the decree was aimed directly at himself most of all. His reactions to the decree are a remarkable example for us. It is worth noting that he did not react against the king, the one who signed the new law. Daniel could have thought, "After all I've done for him, the king does this to me." Was he tempted to compromise? Did Satan make the suggestion, "Why not just stop praying to God for the 30 days mentioned in the decree? Or if you must keep on praying, then do it in bed at night where no one will see you?" If those thoughts did come to Daniel, it is obvious that he immediately rejected them. Verse 10 plainly states that he maintained his daily prayer times as usual. Daniel even opened his windows which faced the direction of the now ruined temple in Jerusalem. Then kneeling down, he gave thanks to God - for what? God's goodness and faithfulness? Did he pray for the men who were trying to destroy him? Daniel went on with his work as usual. He openly prayed as he always did. His calmness clearly indicated that he had committed himself completely to God and knew his life was in God's hands. Even if the outcome was death, he was confident he would go through even that experience with God. What are our reactions when we are tested? We may never face the ultimate test which Daniel faced, but the consistency of our prayer life often suffers when we are under fire. That is the time we need it most and when our faith in God needs to be clearly seen. Remember: No state law and no government can block our open door to God's throne in prayer. |
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