Revelation of the Word:

THEME: OPPRESSION OF THE POOR

Daniel 1:1–6 NIV

“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.”

INSIGHT

–King Nebuchadnezzar was introduced amidst a crop of corrupt kings of Judah. As the Lord had declared, Nebuchadnezzar removed all the treasures from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace, and took away all the gold articles that Solomon king of Israel had made from the temple of the Lord. He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the officers and fighting meant, and all the craftsmen and artisan – a total of ten thousand. Among them were Daniel, Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego, who suffered in Babylon as they pursued their faith in an idol worship culture. They were imprisoned in a furnace of fire for not bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel was also thrown into the den of lions for praying to God against king Nebuchadnezzar’s decree. These were some kind of issues that the freedom fighters were faced with as they fought for our independence. They were tortured, detained, and some were killed in the quest of freedom. Sixty years after this, our nation is still struggling with neo-colonialism. The western nations have infested our nation with their culture including the passing of LGBTQ laws. They have also taken over major government projects and forced the leaders impose high taxes with a promise to offer us expensive loans. It is a disastrous situation and the poor are left to suffer most as a majority sleep hungry, due to the high cost of living.

PRAYER

Dear Lord Jesus we worship You and give You praise. This is the day that You have made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. After sixty years of independence, we give You all our praise and thanks. Thank You for the far that You have brought us and for the far that You are taking us. May You deliver us merciful Savior from neo-colonialism and fight for us. This battle belongs to You Jesus may You rescue us. Rescue us from foreign invasion and oppression. Rescue us from slavery and dictatorship. Rescue us from economic degradation and hopelessness. Help us merciful Savior to remain united and to build our nation together as one. May You bless us and heal our land. May You teach us to rely on You fully and to trust You in every area of our lives. May You quicken our revival and bring many to salvation. May You quicken our breakthrough and answer all our prayers Almighty Father. Nothing is too hard for You dear Lord Jesus, may You respond to our hearts desires. Oh God of all creation, bless this our land and nation, may justice be our shield and defender, may we dwell in unity, peace and liberty, may plenty be found within our borders. Amen

Further reading: Daniel 3:13-30, Psalms 133:1-3

Blessed Madaraka Day

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