Daniel and You

We live in ... interesting times. Okay, less and less comfortable times. For Christians, I mean. Oh, nothing like the early Christians faced or anything, but, let's face it, Christianity in America is falling into more and more disfavor. They're forcing some Christians to violate their principles or face consequences. They're telling us all that if we take a biblical view on marriage, transgenderism, and homosexuality, we're "haters." It may not be lions and burnings yet, but it is what Jesus called "persecution" (Matt 5:10-11). And then there is all the discomfort of home -- inflation, foolish government, plummeting morals with its associated moral insanity, and so on. Things look a bit gloomy.

You remember the story of Daniel in the lions' den, right? Darius was king and liked Daniel, but the mucky-mucks didn't. They tricked the king into passing a law that would certainly entrap Daniel. And when it did, they sprung the trap. So Darius was forced to throw Daniel to the lions. When he did it, he told Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you" (Dan 6:16). Imagine that! The king got it! So they carried out the sentence and the next morning he went back and found Daniel safe, just like he thought. Well, the mucky-mucks were the next meal for the lions and the king made a decree to the people.

I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel; For He is the living God and enduring forever, And His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, And His dominion will be forever. He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Dan 6:26-27)

Now think about that. Daniel was in trouble not for doing bad things, but for praying and giving thanks to God. Hey, that's interesting! We're commanded to do the exact same thing (1 Thess 5:17-18)! So here's my suggestion in troubling times. Let's try that out and see if the God that we constantly serve will save us. Darius believed God "delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders In heaven and on earth." Do you?