Faithfulness Comes with Fire
By Dean Collins
If you chose a life of faithfulness there will be difficulties and opposition. I don't like writing that sentence and you don't like reading it, but we both know it's true. We know it because we have observed it in the lives of faithful people we have known. We know it's true because we each have had moments or seasons where we experienced it. And we know it's true because we see it in the lives of the faithful saints who have gone before us and whose life stories are recorded for us in scripture to teach us and encourage us.
Daniel is a good example. A good looking, smart kid who was wise beyond his years was taken into captivity before he really made a name for himself back home. His God-given wisdom was obvious to local civic leaders, and he was promoted to a high position in King Nebuchadnezzar's inner circle. Jealousy and resentment grew in those who watched his trajectory. The result meant that Daniel was in a hot mess. But God did not let the heat get to his young and faithful spokesman.
Daniel delivered truth time and time again to king after king who just couldn't get over themselves even after seeing God's power and glory. While serving the third-generation family king, the jealous second-tier advisors to King Darius devised a plan to get rid of Daniel once and for all. They planned to have him killed because of his prayer life. Wow. It is one thing to get in trouble and endure punishment because you hurt or killed someone, but receiving a punishment of death for praying to the God of heaven instead of an earthly king? Jealousy is a powerful and dangerous emotion. Acting out based on jealousy can lead to very bad outcomes.
You can read the familiar story found in Daniel 6 to refresh your memory of this powerful story and lesson for us. But I will jump to the conclusion. After King Darius endured a sleepless night, he found that God delivered his chief advisor unharmed. Overwhelmed by what he saw, the King made a pronouncement and offered a prayer in front of everyone:
“Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions."
In the king’s statement we find Daniel's and our secret to living faithful lives. We can serve faithfully because we serve a living God whose kingdom will never be destroyed. Our King delivers and rescues. Period. Remind me of that the next time I go through a tough moment. I'll do the same for you!
Father, today we are thankful that we serve a King who is faithful over and over again. Thank you for the story of Daniel that reminds us of who you are and of your faithfulness to us in every situation. Thank you for the obedience of your Son and our Savior, Jesus, who was faithful even through his suffering and death, that we might be forgiven and given eternal life. Today we ask that your Holy Spirit guide our steps so that we might be obedient to your call to serve others in the name of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Daniel 6:1-28 ESV
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