What would you do?
What would you choose?
Could you stand strong?
It’s famous. We know the story. And we are tempted to breeze right through it. But slow down…
This dilemma, (listen, that we may all face sooner, rather than later, the way our world is headed), is sobering and makes for far greater than a children’s story.
Darius the Mede has assumed the throne and Daniel, still in captivity, is serving his third king (who recognizes Daniels’s wisdom and worth) and is considering setting him over the whole realm (Dan 6).
And like Nebuchadnezzar, King Darius’s cohorts are jealous: but they can find no fault in Daniel.
However, they know Daniel won’t go against his God so they devise a plan to set him up by getting King Darius to sign an irrevocable decree that no god can be petitioned except the King for thirty days.
But Daniel, fully knowing the ramifications of his actions, refuses to not pray to the One True God.
When it came down to worshiping God or obeying the government, there was only one choice for Daniel.
What would you do?
What would you choose?
Could you stand strong?
Are you raising kids who would stand strong? Is that even our desire? Or, do we just want them to be good, do well in school, have lots of friends, get good jobs, marry well and fund their 401ks?
Honestly, we all are drawn to the path of least resistance for ourselves and for our kids.
But, if we are true followers of Christ, we have a target on our backs and our life is likely to include lots of problems and pain.
But! But, we also have opportunities to stand for the cause of Christ. We have a chance to live our lives so others might see our God.
King Darius saw God in Daniel.
We know this, because just before Daniel is to be thrown in the lion’s den for disobeying the irrevocable decree, King Darius, tells Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” (Dan 6:16)
And God does! God sends His angel to shut the mouth of the lions. (Dan 6:22)
Darius praises God and has those who had conspired against Daniel are thrown into the lions den.
And we see victory!
And this we can know, no matter how our “lions den” times here on earth turn out, those who follow Christ will eventually, and forever, walk in victory because of the One who is always faithful!
May He find us faithful in these days we are living.
Kim Jaggers Ministry 