TobyMac 0:00 Hey, what's up? I'm Toby Mac, and you're listening to my man Steve Webb on...That's a great name for a podcast, man...on Lifespring Podcast. Steve Webb 0:17 Hi, come on in. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible. There's a reason I played that for today's intro, and I'll tell you more later. My name is Steve Webb and I'm coming to you from Riverside, California. And I'm your OG God caster. I'm so glad you're with me today. This is the daily show where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. The show notes page for today's episode is that Lifespring media.com/s 12 e to 19. You might want to remember that I think you want to go check it out after the show. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Today we're going to begin the book of Daniel will read the first six chapters. Of course, I'll have some comments after the reading, but I'll give you an introduction to the book before I begin reading as well. The title of today's show is an astonishing about face. Let's get started. Steve Webb 1:06 All right, how about a brief introduction to the book of Daniel. The Book of Ezekiel, which we completed last week showed us prophecies of the beginning of Israel's captivity. Daniel's book is of the latter years of their captivity. The visions God gave his zekiel were meant to be a comfort to the Jews in the midst of their captivity. And the same is true of Daniel's vision as their captivity dragged on. Knowing that God was still speaking to them and had plans for them was surely something that helped them make it through. Now Daniel is considered to be one of the most prominent prophets. He lived in the courts of some of the greatest kings, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus and Darius. The first six chapters of the book are historical and pretty easy to understand. The last six chapters are of a prophetic nature and not so easy to understand, but they do speak clearly of the coming Greek and Roman kingdoms and of the coming Messiah. So with that introduction, let's begin. Steve Webb 2:10 Daniel chapter one. In the third year of the reign of Jehovah, Kim, king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of shiner to the house of his God, and place the vessels in the treasury of his God. Then the king commanded ashpan as his chief unic to bring some of the people of Israel both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hannah, nyah, Michelle and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the Unix gave them names Daniel, he called belta Shahzad, Hannah Nya, he called Shadrach. Michelle, he called me Shaq, and as Araya he called Abednego. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore, he asked the chief of the Unix to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the Unix and the chief of the Unix said to Daniel, I fear my lord and king who assigned your food and your drink. For why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youth who are of your own age, so you would endanger my head with the king. Then Daniel said to the steward, whom the chief of the Unix had assigned over Daniel Han, Anya, Michel and Azariah Test Your servants for 10 days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the Kings food be observed by you and deal with your servants according to what you see. So he listened to them in this manner and tested them for 10 days. At the end of 10 days, it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youth who ate the Kings food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill and all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding and all visions and dreams. At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in. The chief of the units brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king spoke with them, and among all of them, none was found like Daniel and Anya, Michelle and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king, and in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king and Steve Webb 4:59 choir of them. He found them 10 times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus. Steve Webb 5:10 Daniel chapter two. In the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams, his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. Then the king commanded that the magician's, the enchanters, the sorcerers and the Chaldeans be summoned to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. And the king said to them, I had a dream and my spirit is troubled to know the dream. Then the Chaldeans said to the king, and aromatic, oh king, live forever. Tell your servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation. The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, the word from me is firm. If you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you shall be torn limb from limb, and your houses shall be laid in ruins. But if you show the dream and its interpretation, you shall receive from me gifts and rewards in great honor. Therefore, show me the dream and its interpretation. They answered a second time and said, Let the king tell his servants the dream and we will show its interpretation. The king answered and said, I know a certainty that you are trying to gain time because you see that the word for me is firm. If you do not make the dream known to me, there is but one sentence for you. You have agreed to speak lying and corrupt words before me tell the times change. Therefore, tell me the dream and I shall know that you can show me its interpretation. The Chaldeans answered the king and said, there is not a man on earth who could meet the Kings demand for no great and powerful king is asked such a thing. If any magician or Enchanter or Kaldi in the thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods whose dwelling is not with flesh. Steve Webb 6:56 Because of this, the king was angry and very furious and commanded that all the wise men of Babylon be destroyed. So the decree went out, and the wise men were about to be killed, and they saw Daniel and his companions to kill them. Then Daniel replied with prudence and discretion to Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon. He declared to Arioch, the king's captain, why is the decree of the king so urgent, Then Arioch made the matter known to Daniel and Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time that he might show the interpretation to the king. Then Daniel went to his house and made the matter known to Hannah Nya, Michelle and Azariah his companions and told them to seek mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery so that Daniel and his companions might not be destroyed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel and a vision of the night. Then Daniel, bless the God of heaven. Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God forever and ever to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons, he removes kings and sets up kings, he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and hidden things, he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, oh god of my father's, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you or you have made known to us that kings matter. Therefore, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon. He went and said thus to him, do not destroy the wise men of Babylon, bring me in before the king and I will show the king the interpretation. Then Arioch brought in Daniel before the king in haste and said thus to him, I have found among the exiles from Judah, a man who will make known to the king the interpretation, the king declare to Daniel whose name was belta Shas are, are you able to make known to me the dream that I've seen and its interpretation? Daniel answered the king and said, No, Wiseman and chanters magicians or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked. But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days, your dream and the visions of your head as you lay in bed are these to you, oh king, as you lay in bed came thoughts of what would be after this, and he who reveals mysteries made known to you what is to be but as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. You saw King and behold a great image. This image mighty end of exceeding brightness stood before you, and its appearance was frightening. The head of this image was of fine gold. It's Steve Webb 9:59 chest and arms of silver. It's middle in the eyes of bronze, its legs of iron, its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. As you looked, a stone was cut out by no human hand, and it struck the image on its feet of iron and clay, and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold, all together were broken in pieces and became like the chaff of the summer threshing floors. And the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. This was the dream. Now we will tell the king its interpretation. You owe King, the King of kings to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power and the mind and the glory and into whose hand he has given wherever they dwell, the children of man, the beasts of the field, and the birds of the heavens, making you rule over them all. You are the head of gold, another kingdom inferior to you shall arise after you, and yet a third kingdom of bronze which shall rule over all the earth. And there shall be a fourth kingdom strong as iron, because iron breaks to pieces and shatters all things. And like iron that crushes it shall break and crush all these. And as you saw the feet and toes partly of potter's clay and partly of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom, but some of the firmness of iron shall be in it, just as you saw iron mixed with the soft clay. And as the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay. So the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly brittle. As you saw the iron mixed with soft clay. So they will mix with one another in marriage, but they will not hold together just as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever. Just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand. And then it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this? The dream is certain and its interpretation. Sure. Steve Webb 12:19 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. The king answered and said to Daniel, truly your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery. Then the king gave Daniel High honors in many great gifts and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. Daniel made a request of the king and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego over the affairs of the province of Babylon. But Daniel remained at the Kings court. Steve Webb 12:58 Daniel chapter three. King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold whose height was 60 cubits and its breath six cubits. He set it up on the plane of dura in the province of Babylon. Then King Nebuchadnezzar sent together the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurer's, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces to come to the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the treasurer's, the justices, the magistrates, and all the officials of the provinces, gathered for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before the image that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. And the Herald's proclaimed aloud, you are commanded old peoples nations and languages, that when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, liar, try Gon, harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music, you are to fall down and worship the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. Therefore, as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, pipe, liar, try gone harp, bagpipe, and every kind of music. All the peoples nations and languages fell down and worshipped the golden image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up. Therefore, at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and maliciously accused the Jews. They declared to King Nebuchadnezzar, Oh, King Live Forever You, O King, have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn pipe liar, Trigun, harp bagpipe, and every kind of music shall fall down and worship the golden image, and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These men Oh King pay no attention to you. They do not Steve Webb 15:00 serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar in furious rage commanded that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be brought. So they brought these men before the king. Nebuchadnezzar answered and said to them, is it true Oh Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden image that I've set up. Now if you are ready when you hear the sound of the horn, pipe, liar, Trigun, harp bagpipe, and every kind of music to fall down and worship the image that I've made well and good. But if you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace, and who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach Meshach and Abednego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand oh king, but if not the unknown to you, oh king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury, and the expression of his face was changed against Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. He ordered the furnace heated seven times more than it was usually heated, and he ordered some of the mighty men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace. Then these men were bound in their cloaks, their tunics, their hats, and their other garments, and they were thrown into the burning fiery furnace. Because the Kings order was urgent and the furnace overheated. The flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. And these three men Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell bound into the burning fiery furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished and rose up in haste. He declared to his councillors, did we not cast three men bound into the fire? They announced instead of the King Truffaut king, he answered and said, but I see four men, unbound, walking in the midst of the fire, and they're not hurt, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods. Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the burning fiery furnace, he declared Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego servants of the Most High God, come out and come here. Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out from the fire and the satraps, the prefects, the governors and the kings counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had not had any power over the bodies of those men. The hair of their heads was not singed, their cloaks were not harmed, and no smell of fire had come upon them. And be kanessa answered and said, bless it be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him and set aside the king's command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God. Therefore, I make a decree any people, nation or language that speaks anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego shall be torn limb from limb, and their houses laid in ruins, for there is no other God who was able to rescue in this way. Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon. Steve Webb 18:26 Daniel chapter four. King Nebuchadnezzar to all peoples, nations and languages that dwell in all the earth, peace be multiplied to you. It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the most high God has done for me. How great are His signs, how mighty His wonders, his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation. I Nebuchadnezzar was at ease in my house and prospering in my palace, I saw a dream that made me afraid. As I lay in bed, the fancies in the visions of my head alarmed me. So I made a decree that all the wise men of Babylon should be brought before me, that they might make known to me the interpretation of the dream. Then the magicians, the enchanters, the Chaldeans, and the astrologers came in, and I told him the dream, but they could not make known to me it's interpretation. At last Daniel came in before me, he who was named belta, Shahzad after the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. And I told him the dream saying all belta Shas, our chief of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in you, and that no mystery is too difficult for you. Tell me the visions of my dream that I saw and their interpretation. The visions of my head as I lay in bed were these I saw and behold, a tree in the midst of the earth at its height was great. The tree grew and became strong, and its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the Steve Webb 20:00 Whole Earth. Its leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant. And in it was food for all the beasts of the field found shade under it, and the birds of the heavens lived in its branches and all flesh was fed from it. I saw in the visions of my head as I lay in bed, and behold a watcher, a holy one came down from heaven, He proclaimed, allowed and said, Thus, chop down the tree and lop off its branches, strip off its leaves and scatter its fruit. Let the beasts flee from under it and the birds from its branches. But leave the stump of its roots in the earth bound with a band of iron and bronze, amid the tender grass of the field. Let him be wet with the dew of heaven. let his portion be with a beasts in the grass of the earth. Let his mind be changed from a man's and let a beasts mind be given to him, and let seven periods of time pass over him. The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end, that the living may know that the most high rules the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will insets over it, the lowliest of men. This dream i King Nebuchadnezzar saw, and you will belta shares are telling me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able for the spirit of the holy gods is in you. Then Daniel, whose name was belta, Shahzad was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, belta shares are, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you belta shares are answered and said, My Lord, may the dream be for those who hate you, and its interpretation for your enemies, the tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that it's top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, whose leaves were beautiful, and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived, it is you, oh king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time Passover him. This is the interpretation oh king. It is a decree of the Most High which has come upon my lord the king, that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with a beast of the field, you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you tell you know that the most high rules the kingdom of man and gives it to whom He will. And as it was commanded to leave the stuff of the roots of the tree, your kingdom shall be confirmed for you from the time that you know that heaven rules. Therefore, oh king, let my counsel be acceptable to you. Break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity. Steve Webb 23:18 All this came upon King Nebuchadnezzar, at the end of 12 months, he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. And the king answered and said, Is not this great Babylon which I have built by my mighty power is a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty, while the words were still in the king's mouth, their fellow voice from heaven, Oh, King Nebuchadnezzar, to you, it is spoken, the Kingdom has departed from you, and you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and you shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, until you know that the most high rules the kingdom of men, and gives it to whom He will. Steve Webb 24:02 Immediately the word was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven from among men and ate grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven tell his hair grew as long as Eagles feathers, and his nails were like birds claws. At the end of the days, I Nebuchadnezzar lifted my eyes to heaven. And my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever. For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation, all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted is nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, and none can stay his hand or say to him, What have you done? At the same time, my reason returned to me and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me. My counselors and my Lords sought me and I was established in my kingdom and Steve Webb 25:00 Till more greatness was added to me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and His ways are just and those who walk in pride, he is able to humble. Steve Webb 25:14 Daniel chapter five. King Belshazzar made a great feast for 1000s of his lords and drank wine in front of the 1000. Belshazzar, when he tasted the wine, commanded that the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple in Jerusalem be brought that the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines might drink from them. Then they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king had his lords his wives and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. Immediately the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall of the king's palace, opposite the lampstand. And the king saw the hand as it wrote. Then the king's color changed, and his thoughts alarmed him. His limbs gave way and his knees knocked together. The king called loudly to bring in the enchanters, the Chaldeans and the astrologers, the king declared to the wise men of Babylon. Whoever reads this writing and shows me its interpretation shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then all the king's wise men came in, but they could not read the writing or make known to the king the interpretation, then King Belshazzar was greatly alarmed at his color changed, and his lords were perplexed. The Queen because of the words of the king and his lords, came to the banqueting hall and the Queen declared, old king live forever. Let not your thoughts alarm you or your color change. There is a man in your kingdom in whom is the spirit of the holy gods. In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom, like the wisdom of the gods were found in him. And King Nebuchadnezzar, your father, your father, the king, made him chief of the magicians and chanters, Chaldeans and astrologers. Because an excellent spirit knowledge and understanding to interpret dreams, explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel, whom the king named Belshazzar. Now let Daniel be called, and he will show the interpretation. Then Daniel was brought in before the king, the king answered and said to Daniel, you are that Daniel, one of the exiles of Judah, whom the king my father brought from Judah, I have heard of you that the spirit of the gods is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you. Now, the wise man, the enchanters, had been brought in before me to read this writing, and make known to me its interpretation, but they could not show the interpretation of the matter. But I have heard that you can give interpretations and solve problems. Now, if you can read the writing and make known to me its interpretation, you shall be clothed with purple and have a chain of gold around your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then Daniel answered and said before the king, let your gifts be for yourself and give your rewards to another. Nevertheless, I will read the writing to the king, and make known to him the interpretation. Oh King, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship and greatness and glory and majesty. And because of the greatness that he gave him, all peoples nations and languages trembled and feared before him, whom he would he killed, and whom he would he kept alive, whom he would he raised up, and whom he would he humbled. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened, so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. He was driven from among the children of mankind, and his mind was made like that of a beast, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. He was fed grass like an ox, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven until he knew that the most high God rules the kingdom of mankind, and sets over it whom He will, and you his son Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of this house had been brought in before you and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold of bronze iron, wood and stone which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways you have not honored. Then from his presence, the hand was sent in this writing was inscribed and this is the writing that was inscribed. Many, many Tekle Parson This is the interpretation of the matter, meaning Steve Webb 30:00 If God has numbered the days of your kingdom and his brought it to an end tackle, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting periods. Your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Then Belshazzar gave the command and Daniel was clothed with purple. A chain of gold was put around his neck and a proclamation was made about him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom. That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean King was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom being about 62 years old. Steve Webb 30:36 Daniel chapter six. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps to be throughout the whole kingdom, and over them three high officials of whom Daniel was one, to whom the satraps should give account so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him and the king plant to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials in the satraps sought to find a ground for complaining against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no grounds for complaint or any fault because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we can find it in connection with the law of his God. Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, Oh, King Darius live forever, all the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects, and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction that whoever makes petition to any god or man for 30 days, except to you, oh, God, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, oh king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it cannot be changed according to the law of the Medes and the Persians which cannot be revoked. Therefore, King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plead before his God. Then they came near and said before the king concerning the injunction, oh king, did you not sign an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man within 30 days except to you, Oh, King, shall be cast into the den of lions. The king answered and said, the things dance fast according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked. Then they answered and said before the king Daniel, who was one of the exiles from Judah pays no attention to you, oh king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day. Then the King when he heard these words, was much distressed, and set his mind to deliver Daniel, and he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, no, oh king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed. Then the king commanded Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, may your god whom you serve continually deliver you, and a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own Signet, and with the Signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him. Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish, the king declared to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, as your god whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions. Then Daniel said to the king, Oh, King live forever. My God said his angel and shut the lions mouths, and they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before him. And also before you, Oh, King, I have done no harm. Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God, and the king commanded and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought in cast into the den of lions, they their children and their wives, and before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples nations and languages that dwell in all the earth, please be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in all my royal dominion, people are to turn Steve Webb 35:00 Rambo and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the Living God enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers in rescues, he works, signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. He who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Steve Webb 35:26 Alright, going back to chapter four, where King Nebuchadnezzar gave praise to God, remember who this is, this is the proud and haughty king of Babylon, who boasted about how great and mighty he was, and how he could do anything because of his great power. He was the Evil King who God used to bring his chosen people into captivity. And here near the end of his life, in chapter four, he has come to know who the one true God is, and he publicly before the whole world gives God praise. Is there somebody in your life, perhaps a loved one, whom you think is beyond God's reach? Someone who sees no need for God or forgiveness or redemption? Remember, Nebuchadnezzar, God can reach anyone. I've told the story before on the show here, but I'll repeat a condensed version of it here for those who might be new. I was not brought up in a Christian home. And when I became a believer in Jesus at the age of 16, my dad told me I was a fool. Over the years, I tried several times to share the reality of Jesus with him, and what he did in my life, and nearly every time I ended up in tears because of the hardness of my dad's heart in mind, I finally gave up and I prayed that God would bring someone into his life that he would listen to. Well, finally, when my dad was very old, just about a year before he died, a neighbor was able to bring my dad to the Lord. And today I know that someday I'll see him again. Steve Webb 36:54 Well, if God can save Nebuchadnezzar, if God can save my dad, he can bring your loved one into a relationship with Himself too. Don't give up. Don't stop praying. Be faithful. Hang in there. God loves that person infinitely more than you do. Steve Webb 37:12 I'd love to hear your comments. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 219. Scroll to the bottom of the page and leave your comment there. Our reading tomorrow will be John three and four loose. Steve Webb 37:29 And remember that this coming Monday's episode will be number 222. It's a perfect time for a row of ducks donations like 22 dot 22 or 222 dot 22 or even 2222 dot 22. We'll have a row of duck segment on Monday show make your donation at Lifespring media.com/support. Or do a special Rob Dux. Those two grants. Also distinguished producer executive producer and associate producer ships are always available. Get the details at Lifespring media.com/support. If you enjoy the Lifespring family Audio Bible and if you're glad when you see it in your podcast app, return some of that value to me and a value for value donation. Lifespring media.com/support. Thank you and God bless you. Steve Webb 38:26 On this date in church history, April 8 1947, Larry Norman was born he was a Christian singer and songwriter known as the father of Christian rock. As a part of the Jesus movement in the late 1960s. He was known for raising his index finger and the signature one way gesture. I did it many times myself. One of my favorite Larry Norman songs is called I wish we'd all been ready, and it's found its way into several church hymnals. I'll have the song I wish we'd all been ready at the end of today's show. Plus, I'll have a video of Larry doing this song with DC talk on the show notes page. And speaking of Larry Norman, have you seen the new documentary called The Jesus music? It tells the story of how Jesus music began in the late 1960s and 70s. And how it morphed into what was called contemporary Christian music. And the stories of the founders and some who came later, you'll see and hear some of the people in groups I've talked about on the show here and even some of the people I've interviewed. Larry Norman has gone to be with the Lord but he's featured in the movie along with Chuck Girard of Love Song whom I've interviewed my pastor Greg Laurie of harvest ministries, who incidentally wrote all the notes in the new believers Bible that I offer as a gift when someone accepts the Lord here when listening to the show. And Amy Grant is interviewed. I never got to meet her but I was this close back in the 80s at a Christian Booksellers Association convention when she was at a meet and greet that ran out of time just before I got to meet her, or people ushered her out and I was like, whoa, wait a minute. Unknown Speaker 40:00 Michael W. Smith is on the movie, Kirk Franklin TobyMac, who I interviewed for the 2005 harvest crusade podcast at Anaheim stadium. And that's why I used Toby's introduction to the show today. And Steven Curtis Chapman, Andre crouch, striper, Billy Graham, Chris Tomlin, Michael Tait, and so many others. And if you look really close, pay attention here. If you look really close when you're watching the Jesus music documentary, there's even a quick shot of an MTV VJ that some of us are familiar with. You got to watch closely but he's there. Here's the audio of the official trailer for the Jesus movie see the richness of Hope land upon someone's spirit via rhythm Brian finality, sound, I don't understand it. Unknown Speaker 40:50 Thanks a lot of hymns or close your eyes singing to God. I wanted to sing with my eyes wide open and singing to each other. Unknown Speaker 40:59 This thing Jesus music ballot play in my hometown and changed my life. Unknown Speaker 41:06 When it comes to music, and how we can express ourselves, we don't have to do it the way it was done before. Unknown Speaker 41:14 One time in loving wave to have these conversations. Unknown Speaker 41:20 My generation had seen all of the civil unrest most of us were trying to escape the pain and the misery. Unknown Speaker 41:28 Where do we go from here? Unknown Speaker 41:31 You feel like something's in the wind whose soundtrack emerges? Or I Unknown Speaker 41:36 had no idea they were helping to create an entire industry. I saw contemporary Christian music born right before my very eyes. You don't know you're a pioneer or something. When you're doing it. We were just doing what we love. You had grunge and you had pop and you had rock new and hip hop. There was so much great music going on everything felt so fresh and knew Unknown Speaker 42:00 what we were doing said so much across the world. It was so much drama in the church, every setback, Unknown Speaker 42:08 there will be a glimmer of hope, Unknown Speaker 42:12 money, cultural influence off the chart that's bigger than any one person or one artist. Unknown Speaker 42:22 offers people a sense of hope. Yeah, that was DC talks. Here's the deal. Unknown Speaker 42:30 I've never shared this with anybody, would you change anything? Unknown Speaker 42:35 Let's not forget music is God's idea. Unknown Speaker 42:38 I think music is the most powerful, universal language in the world. Music was a lifeline. It became part of the fabric of who I was, but pushed me to do some courageous things to touch the soul like somebody's talking to you, you can. Unknown Speaker 42:54 And you can do all that in three and a half minutes. Steve Webb 42:59 If you'd like to see the video was on the show notes page as well. Lifespring media.com/s 12 e to 19. I saw the documentary in Hulu, but it's also on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and I'm sure you can look around and find it. Steve Webb 43:23 Let's pray. Steve Webb 43:25 Our Heavenly Father we learned today that even the most unlikely people are not beyond your reach. So for those of us who have loved ones who seem hopelessly lost, I pray that will not grow weary of praying for them. Help us to continue to do spiritual battle for them. We know that it's not your will that any should perish. So we humbly ask you to keep knocking on the doors of our loved ones hearts. We pray that you would do whatever necessary to bring them to you. turn their hearts of stone to hearts of flesh. We pray that you do not let them rest until they realize that the only lasting and true rest is found in You. Lord, I pray today for Jim, the husband of Leanne's cousin candy. He's having breathing and heart issues and he's in the hospital and they don't know what the problem is. I pray, Lord, that You would give the doctors wisdom and that you would guide their decisions. I pray, Lord, that You would touch Jim and that you'd heal him. Lord, we know that there's no one better to care for Jim than you and we put him in your hands right now. I ask Lord that you bless each one of the Lifespring family today. I thank you for every individual who's listening now and I ask that you encourage them. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise let me know at prayer dot Lifespring media.com. I'll pray for you in my private prayer time and we'll pray together on the show. Unknown Speaker 44:57 I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's show. Comment at Steve Webb 45:00 Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 219 Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com support the show please don't forget the roadex donations go to Lifespring media.com/support Up next is a song that deeply touches my heart over 50 years after its writing this is Larry Norman with his song I wish we'd all been ready and remember to go to the show notes page to see a video of Larry with DC talk doing the song until tomorrow may God bless you richly thank you for being with me today. My name is Steve Webb be sure you're ready Write me if you're not sure bye Unknown Speaker 46:03 life was filled with guns and war and everyone got trampled on the floor Unknown Speaker 46:12 I wish Unknown Speaker 46:16 children died The days grew cold a piece of bread goodbye I Unknown Speaker 46:25 wish we'd all Unknown Speaker 46:29 there is no time change your mind the sun has come Unknown Speaker 46:35 in love me Unknown Speaker 46:42 oh man wife was sleeping bed she hears a noise and turns her head is Unknown Speaker 46:51 a wish meter Unknown Speaker 46:55 to men walking up the hill disappears and one's left standing still a wish Unknown Speaker 47:09 time to change your mind the sun has come in you Unknown Speaker 47:41 was filled with guns warned everyone got trampled on Unknown Speaker 47:49 sweet Unknown Speaker 47:53 children died or days cold peace bread goodbye Unknown Speaker 48:02 wish Unknown Speaker 48:06 is no time to change your mind How could you have been so Unknown Speaker 48:13 love father's the demon Stein The sun has Unknown Speaker 48:20 been left behind Unknown Speaker 48:26 left behind Unknown Speaker 48:32 left behind Transcribed by https://otter.ai