Daily Readings - Thu Nov 25 2021
Daniel
11Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.12Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, 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 altereth not.13Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.14Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.15Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.23Then was the king exceeding 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 manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.25Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.28So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Luke
20And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.21Then let them which are in Judaea flee to the mountains; and let them which are in the midst of it depart out; and let not them that are in the countries enter thereinto.22For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled.23But woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck, in those days! for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people.24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.25And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;26Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.27And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and hope in the face of adversity. The first reading from Daniel recounts the story of Daniel in the lions' den, a testament to unwavering faith. Despite a decree forbidding prayer to any god except the king, Daniel continues to pray, trusting in God's deliverance. His faith is rewarded as God sends an angel to protect him, leading to his safe release and the king's acknowledgment of God's power.
The Gospel reading from Luke presents Jesus' words about future trials and the ultimate redemption. Jesus warns of Jerusalem's destruction and the ensuing suffering, urging preparedness and hope. He encourages believers to remain steadfast, trusting that God's plan is at work even amidst chaos. The readings intersect in their emphasis on trust in God during trials, whether personal persecution or broader upheaval.
In our daily lives, these stories remind us to stay faithful despite challenges. Like Daniel, we may face pressures to conform, but trusting in God's providence can lead to deliverance. When we encounter turmoil, Jesus' words encourage us to trust in God's control and look toward redemption. The moral lesson is clear: faith and trust in God lead to deliverance, and even in tough times, God is in control, inviting us to remain faithful and hopeful.