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Dexu Xia

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May 18, 2017, 1:00:42 AM5/18/17

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Living With Lions

He is the living God and He endures forever. Daniel 6:26

When I visited a museum in Chicago, I saw one of the original Striding Lions of Babylon. It was a large mural-type image of a winged lion with a ferocious expression. Symbolizing Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war, the lion was an example of 120 similar lions that would have lined a Babylonian pathway during the years of 604–562 bc.

Historians say that after the Babylonians defeated Jerusalem, the Hebrew captives would have seen these lions during their time in Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom. Historians also say it’s likely that some of the Israelites would have believed Ishtar had defeated the God of Israel.

Dear God, give me the strength to continue to trust in You when I am discouraged.

Daniel, one of the Hebrew captives, did not share the doubts that might have troubled some of his fellow Israelites. His view of God and his commitment to God stayed steady. He prayed three times a day—with his windows open—even when he knew it would mean entering a den of lions. After God rescued Daniel from the hungry animals, King Darius said, “[Daniel’s God] is the living God and he endures forever . . . . He rescues and he saves” (Dan. 6:26–27). Daniel’s faithfulness allowed him to influence Babylonian leaders.

Staying faithful to God despite pressure and discouragement can inspire other people to give Him glory.

Dear God, give me the strength to continue to trust in You when I am discouraged. Help me to experience Your never-ending love and stay close to Your side.

Faithfulness to God inspires others.

与狮群同住

祂是永远长存的活上帝。-但以理书6章26节

我到芝加哥一间博物馆参观，看到一幅巨大的壁画，描绘了一头长着双翅、表情凶猛、阔步行走的巴比伦狮子。这头狮子象征着掌管爱和战争的巴比伦女神伊丝塔（Ishtar），与公元前604-562年间，耸立在巴比伦通道旁的120头狮子十分类似。

历史学家认为，巴比伦人攻陷耶路撒冷之后，被掳到巴比伦的以色列人在尼布甲尼撒的王国，可能看过这些狮子。这些历史学家表示，当时可能有些以色列人会相信巴比伦女神伊丝塔已经击败了以色列的上帝。

但是，但以理虽然也被掳，却没有像他的以色列同胞一样心存疑惑。他对上帝忠贞不二，坚信不移。他照常敞开窗户，每日三次祷告上帝，即使这意味着他将被丢进狮子坑里。当上帝从饥饿的狮群中，将但以理拯救出来之后，大利乌王说：“[但以理的上帝]是永远长存的活上帝，……祂护庇人、搭救人”（但以理书6章26-27节）。但以理对上帝的信心，深深影响了巴比伦的领导阶层。

不管压力有多大、沮丧有多深，只要坚心信靠上帝，便能激励人们将荣耀归给上帝。

亲爱的上帝，求祢赐我力量，
让我在心情沮丧时，仍能继续信靠祢。
求祢让我经历祢永不止息的爱，紧靠祢身边。