Daniel 6:26,27 + Resurrection

Daniel 6:26 [King Darius said,] "I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. 27 He delivers and rescues ..."

King Darius was tricked. "Make a law against praying," he was told. Daniel, refusing to bow down to the gods of the world, continued to pray to God. The penalty? King Darius was required to throw his top governor, Daniel, into a lion's den.

You probably know the rest of the story: Sleep "18 fled" from Darius. An angel shut the lion's mouths. Daniel was saved. And those who schemed had their evil plots turned back on them.

But do you know what? That's not really the rest of the story! The key to the rest of this story is that all "people should tremble and fear before ... God."

"Fear of God" has fallen out of favor. We are told that God is loving -- true, True, TRUE! -- but somehow we've been seduced into not fearing, honoring, or respecting. Though God is awesome, we've ceased to bow.

So fear of God is the key to this story, but -- and here's the best part -- what does a key do? It unlocks the door! It rolls away the "17 stone [that] sealed" the would-be tomb. It discovers life where there was supposed to be devouring. It discovers the God who "27 delivers and rescues."

Eternal Father, "26 [you are] the living God, [your] kingdom shall never be destroyed, and [your] dominion has no end. 27 [You] deliver and rescue." Lord, open my door, open my eyes, open my heart. Let me tremble, worship, honor ... and then see you.

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