Daniel and the Writing on the Wall: Trusting God Amidst Trials

Welcome to Immerse: The Daily Bible Reading Experience. In today's reading (Day 363), the narrative starts with King Belshazzar hosting a great feast and desecrating the golden cups from the temple in Jerusalem. A mysterious hand writes on the wall, triggering fear in Belshazzar. When none of his wise men can interpret the writing, the queen mother suggests calling Daniel. Daniel interprets the message, predicting the fall of Belshazzar's reign. That night, Belshazzar is killed, and Darius the Mede takes over the kingdom. Darius recognizes Daniel's exceptional abilities and plans to set him over the entire empire. However, jealous administrators manipulate the king into signing a decree against praying to any god but the king himself. Daniel continues to pray to God, leading to his arrest and being thrown into the lions' den. Miraculously, Daniel is unharmed, leading Darius to decree that everyone must fear Daniel's God, who has shown His power in rescuing Daniel from the lions.

00:00 Introduction and Context
00:04 The Feast of King Belshazzar
00:51 The Mysterious Handwriting
02:57 Daniel's Interpretation
06:15 The Fall of Belshazzar
08:31 Daniel in the Lion's Den
11:52 Daniel's Deliverance and Decree of King Darius

Buy Immerse: Chronicles Now!
Volume 6 — Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Daniel

Chronicles

Immerse: Chronicles is the sixth and final installment in Immerse: The Bible Reading Experience. Chronicles contains the remaining First Testament Books: Chronicles–Ezra–Nehemiah, Esther, and Daniel. These works were all written after the Jewish people fell under the control of foreign empires and were scattered among the nations. They remind God’s chastened people of their identity and calling to faithfully represent God to the nations and that there is still hope for the struggling dynasty of David.

4 Questions to get your conversations started:
1. What stood out to you this week?
2. Was there anything confusing or troubling?
3. Did anything make you think differently about God?
4. How might this change the way we live?

QUICK START GUIDE
3 ways to get the most out of your experience

1. Use Immerse: Beginnings instead of your regular chapter and verse Bible. This special reader’s edition restores the Bible to its natural simplicity and beauty by removing chapter and verse numbers and other historical additions. Letters look like letters, songs look like songs, and the original literary structures are visible in each book.
2. Commit to making this a community experience. Immerse is designed for groups to encounter large portions of the Bible together
   for 8 weeks–more like a book club, less like a Bible study. By meeting every week in small groups and discussing what you read in open,
   honest conversations, you and your community can come together to be transformed through an authentic experience with the Scriptures.
3. Aim to understand the big story. Read through “The Stories and the Story” (p. 483) to see how the books of the Bible work together to tell God’s story of his creation’s restoration. As you read through Immerse: Beginnings, rather than ask, “How do I fit God into my busy life?” begin asking, “How can I join in God’s great plan by living out my part in his story?”

And for more great Bible podcasts for Christians and small groups, check out https://lumivoz.com or search for Lumivoz in your podcast app of choice.