The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / THE STONE AND THE PIT

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 203 of 365 THE STONE AND THE PIT When the Medo-Persian Empire toppled the Babylonian Empire and King Darius reigned, Daniel - who had served under Babylon's defeated King Nebuchadnezzar - rose in the government ranks, which made other officials jealous. Their devious plot to bolster the king's self-image and entrap Daniel is well known - as is their fate when God intervened to save Daniel from the lions. This episode points to Jesus. Like Daniel, Jesus was unjustly condemned by his enemies. The pagan ruler, Pontius Pilate, though he knew Jesus was innocent, agreed to send him to his death. He was placed in a pit - a tomb - and had a sealed stone rolled over it. Both rose victoriously from the pit; however, Daniel didn't experience death, and Jesus did. Daniel didn't defeat death in his own power, but Jesus did. Daniel and Jesus were both faithful to God, but Jesus conquered death so that all believers can have victory over sin and death through him. Jesus, thank you for Daniel's example. Help me to be faithful, strong and courageous for you, even to the point of death. I know that when I die, you will be on the other side. Amen. Daniel 6:17-23 NASB 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. 18Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. 19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den. 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.