We all have dark times and wonder where we can find hope. The Bible tells of a man who lived in dark times but knew where to look for hope.
HIS HOPE CAN BE OURS
We can learn hope from the man who kept faith when everyone was against him. His jealous enemies fabricated a law that no righteous man could obey, a law that forbade prayer to any god but the king. In spite of a possible death sentence, he continued to practice a thrice-daily prayer at his window. He was cast in the lion's den, where a stone was rolled over the entrance and sealed until the following morning. In the morning, he was still alive and…
"The King was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den and when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found in him because he trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23. NIV.
HIS HOPE CAN BE OURS
We can learn hope from the man who kept faith when everyone was against him. His jealous enemies fabricated a law that no righteous man could obey, a law that forbade prayer to any god but the king. In spite of a possible death sentence, he continued to practice a thrice-daily prayer at his window. He was cast in the lion's den, where a stone was rolled over the entrance and sealed until the following morning. In the morning, he was still alive and…
"The King was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den and when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found in him because he trusted in his God." Daniel 6:23. NIV.
FAITH
Faith does not guarantee we will be spared testing; rather, the faithful are proved in the test. Daniel faithfully served God, but he still went through that night in the lion's den. He trusted God not only in the darkness of the night but in the darkness of not knowing; he did not know if he would be delivered or slain like other martyred prophets. Daniel trusted God before he went into the lion's den, and he trusted God while in the lion's den. We may experience our own lion’s den, one of despair, or illness or loss, but like Daniel, we must trust God. God loves us and has a plan for deliverance; we may not understand it, but we must resolve to be like Daniel and trust.
TRUST
Daniel trusted God, and God moved the king to favor Daniel. In the morning, the king came himself and gave orders; he didn’t just send a secretary. Our God, the King of Heaven, is watching vigil over our dark night, too. At the right time, God will give orders to bring us out of the depths of despair.
LIFTED
Daniel was lifted out of the den. The king didn’t tell Daniel to climb out; instead, he commanded others to lift Daniel out. Daniel didn’t need to climb; he just needed to let himself be lifted. Like Daniel, we need to have faith in God and allow God to lift us.
No wound was found on him because he trusted in his God. Daniel came out alive, and not just alive; he was untouched by the lions. God honored Daniel for his trust in Him, which gives us hope.
THE GOD OF DANIEL
Daniel is an exception in the lives of the saints. There is no guarantee that we will have the same deliverance as Daniel or be spared of wounds. But the Bible guarantees this—you may have his God. The God of Daniel is waiting to be your God. He rewards those who look to Him in faith. Daniel’s faith was expressed in his prayers, and we may call on God for our personal deliverance in prayer.
(c)Adron Dozat 3/10/10
