Do a Daniel: never give up on God
Your back is against the wall. You’re pinned to the ground with a failure. What was taken cannot be returned. A wave or weight of grief leads you to—and keeps you in—a hole.
From these places we best hear the story of Daniel, a faithful servant famous for his overnighter in the lion’s den.
Daniel’s faith rescues him from death. That same faith can rescue us from a certain kind of death we are (or may) experience. Even when our situation is dire, we can do what Daniel did, and that’s never give up on God.
The first step in living this faith is to learn or remember what Daniel had been through. Born in the Promised Land, this rising agent of God likely spent his youth in the holy region that was a symbol of God’s power, protection, and authority. Living in the Promised Land exemplified the covenant between the children of Israel and their God.
This is the “so good so far” part.
There is more.
The Babylonian Empire begins to conquer its enemies in Daniel’s lifetime. This includes the Promised Land in 586 BC. As a spoil of war, Daniel, who is likely a teenager at this time, becomes one of first spoils of war to be deported to Babylon.
As captives in a foreign land, Daniel and his peers experience shock which turns to crushing loss. After all, the God who parted the waters of the Red Sea, the same One who has used those same waters to drown the pride of Egyptian power, had not delivered the people of Jerusalem from the Babylonian army. How could this be?
In Babylon, Daniel and his colleagues begin to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. Youth of royalty or of prominence didn’t get the bad shifts at the Burger King of the day. Instead, they council and advise this conquering king about the cultures within the Babylonian empire.
Daniel’s time in the king’s court is exceptional. The young man’s devotion and allegiance to the God of his homeland quickly spreads. In addition to conscripting the dreams of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel becomes a well-respected prophet. In time, this leads to the king praising Daniel’s God instead of his pagan idols.
Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar becomes king after his father’s death. After Belshazzar’s sudden death, King Darius takes the throne.
Daniel’s influence continues with Darius. Jealousy in the court rises. Daniel’s advisories trick Darius into creating a law. This law states that anyone who worships God instead of Darius is to be killed.
Daniel continues to be faithful to God. Darius doesn’t want to send his best advisor to death, but feels he has no choice. Daniel is to be tossed into the den of the lions.
Before leaving Daniel in the den, Darius says, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you (Daniel 6:16b, NLT).”
This is exactly what God does. When a sleepless Darius returns to the den early the next morning, his life and faith change. He worships and follows Daniel’s God because not even a scratch can be found on Daniel.
Maybe someone is about to toss you into what feels like a den of lions. Perhaps something scary is right in front of you, or a threatening unknown is right around the corner.
If so, I get the “Yikes!” you’re experiencing. I also invite you to do more than lean into Daniel’s faith. Claim and perhaps even sing this faith as your anthem, your battle cry.
God never leaves us. That’s quite a thing to say when you’re about to go down, but it’s the very best thing I can say when you’re about to go down.
Do a Daniel. Never give up on God because God never gives up on you.
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