April 24, 2022
Daniel
We can’t have a book about men who choose to ride or die for God without talking about Daniel.
Why? Because, as we read in the prophetic book named after him, he was literally faced with this choice over and over again as he worked for several crazy kings.
For instance, there was the time that crazy King Nebuchadnezzar said to all of his noblemen (Daniel included), “Tell me what I dreamt and what it means or die!!”
Now obviously, no one could do that. Dream interpretation is one thing, but knowing what someone dreams is not possible. Unless God tells you the dream. Entering into emergency prayer, Daniel and his friends prayed, and God told Daniel the dream.
Then there was the time King Belshazzar threw a wild party and defiled the things dedicated to God’s Temple. Who did they call when the hand appeared to write a message on the wall? Yep, our boy Daniel. Once again, God gave him the interpretation, and that night Daniel's words were fulfilled when King Darius conquered King Belshazzar’s kingdom. However, Daniel was not killed or taken captive. Instead, Darius made him the third highest ruler in the kingdom.
Then came the biggest and probably most infamous challenge of Daniel’s life. Being hated by his fellow noblemen, they set a trap designed explicitly for Daniel. Knowing his commitment to God and prayer, they convinced King Darius to make a law saying that people could only pray to him for a month. If anyone was caught praying to anyone or anything else, they were thrown into the lion’s den.
What did Daniel do? He chose once again to ride or die with God.
He prayed and was thrown into the lion’s den.
Once again, God saved his life, and the lions didn’t eat him. Again, Daniel stood with God, and God was faithful to him.
Do you ever wonder what gave Daniel the motivation to choose to face the lions rather than just obey the king's edict?
The key is found in Daniel 6:10. It's what he’s always done.
Starting way back in his teens, Daniel faced a challenge: eat food that was against God's laws or obey the king. Living in a new land under a king who had no fear of God, it was unthinkable for four Hebrews to say, “We have to obey God no matter what happens.”
Yet, that’s what Daniel and his friends did. When they chose to ride or die to obey God’s Laws, they saw God honor them. This strengthened their faith and gave them the confidence in God to choose His ways again and again.
Often it is the same with us. Each time we choose to obey God, no matter the consequences, it builds our faith and prepares us for the next challenge. That’s why it’s so important that we follow God in the little things. Choose faithfulness to God in every area of our lives.
Just as every compromise creates a fault line that weakens your walk with God, every time you choose to stand firm, to obey God, to ride or die with Him strengthens and shores up the foundation of your faith.
When the storms of life come, your ability to stand firm will be determined by the foundation you’ve laid. Will your foundation be weak from compromise or strong and stable from a history of choosing to ride or die for God?
Daniel could face the lion's den because he had a history of obeying God.
Today’s the day to start building your history: choose to obey God.
By: Jamie Holden, Mantour Ministries
Today’s Verse:
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10, NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.