THE OPEN WINDOW

DANIEL 6:1

A. DANIEL HAD AN OPEN WINDOW IN HIS CHAMBER
  1. To admit light and fresh air into the chamber:
  2. This window was open toward Jerusalem:
    1. The center of his affections - Ps. 122; 137:5-9
    2. A constant reminder to him that he was a pilgrim and a stranger in a strange country - Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11
  3. He knew Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the temple:
    1. "If they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent." - 1 Ki. 8:47
    2. "Then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause." - verse 49
B. LET US NOTE THREE WONDERFUL TRUTHS ABOUT THE OPEN WINDOW
  1. Courage of the open window:
    1. Daniel was a man of faith, dedicated to principles, which were tested on a number of special occasions.
      1. While attending school - Dan. 1:5-20
      2. Under a law of the Medes and Persians, which prohibited all subjects of the kingdom to ask anything of their god for the space of thirty days - Dan. 6:4-28
    2. He continued his daily devotions before the open window with persistent regularity -
      1. His enemies knew that and sought to use it to destroy him - Dan. 6:4, 5
      2. They freely acknowledged that that was the only fault they could find in him - Dan. 6:5, 10
  2. Important impression:
    1. It takes character to keep the window of our chamber open toward the city of God.
    2. It takes extra courage to keep it open in the face of adverse circumstances.
    3. If the Bible wanted to give the story of the open window, would our prayer life qualify?
    4. Here is a good reason for sincere self-examination by all of us, who profess to be praying Christians.
  3. The Piety of the open window and its imagination:
    1. The Piety -
      1. Daniel was a man of prayer; his many official duties could not prevent him from having his regular devotions - Dan. 6:10
      2. That was true of David; he was a very busy man, yet he had his regular devotions morning, noon, and evening - Ps. 55:17
      3. Peter had his prayer seasons - Acts 10:9
    2. He made the kingdom of God first, regardless of his environment - Matt. 6:33. Do we?
    3. The piety of the open window teaches four things -
      1. It finds its highest expression in a life of prayer. That is the highest concept of piety.
      2. It has respect to minute precepts. The open window was an inspiration to his main aspiration - Jerusalem!
      3. It is self-consistent - He lived his religion, practiced his faith.
      4. It is without regard to the judgment of man - Acts 4:29; 5:19
    4. Imagination of the open window -
      1. He knew God's promises to his captive people.
      2. He was a student of Bible prophecy - Dan. 9:1- 3
      3. He anticipated the return of his people out of captivity.
      4. He became enchanted by the hope of the homeland - Heb. 10:13-16
    5. What a prayer lesson for God's people today -
      1. The secret of great and useful lives is found in a consistent life of prayer.
      2. He who knows his God will do exploits for Him and the church of God.
      3. He that honoreth God will, in turn, be honored by God.
      4. We shall do well to keep the window of our life open toward the New Jerusalem, toward the promised land.
      5. The open window should be the center of our affections for the kingdom of our God.


    Design © John Bryant 2011