Daniel 6:10 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.

In a way, this is the most remarkable thing about this story. By this point Daniel was probably what we would call elderly. He had served God faithfully all his life, and he had the calm assurance of his eternal destination. He quite possibly thought, “I’ve got to go sometime, so this is as good as any.” (I wouldn’t personally choose to go by way of being eaten by lions, but that would be better than some diseases I can think of.) In any case, he didn’t consider the threat of death to be sufficient to interfere with his relationship with God. Actually, there are people who face that choice all the time even today. I was just reading about the huge increase in the number of believers in Iran, for example, who share Christ with their friends and neighbors even though they know it can get them arrested or even killed. Daniel was remarkable, but hardly unique. The problem isn’t persecution, it’s those who bow to it, who place physical, earthly comfort ahead of eternal glory. That is particularly true in places like the US, where being a Christian has in the past been even socially advantageous, and at least expected. Today, standing up for Biblical values will get you branded as a litany of “…phobe,” and can easily cost you your job. Thinking about it, that’s pretty minor when compared to being thrown into a den of lions! Like Daniel and countless others like him, we need to “Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) As Paul reminds us, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

This conviction has only grown in my heart over the years. I have already lived more than 10 years longer than my father did, physically speaking, and my only hesitation about leaving is my wife, who would have a really hard time without me. I don’t feel like I have faced much opposition for my faith, and I am occasionally concerned that my faith is weak as a result. There are projects I would like to see to completion, but then my father was in the middle of a New Testament translation when he graduated. Nothing I have on earth is of any weight or significance compared to my Lord, and I get to spend eternity with Him! I see and hear things all the time that show how the vast majority of people are prisoners of their fear of death, and I have the liberty of the Holy Spirit. I am not to be proud, but grateful, and seek to bring as many as will repent and believe along with me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the girl who called yesterday asking the time of the service. I know nothing about her, but You know everything! I pray that You would continue to draw those You want to be part of the Body of Christ in this place, so that together we may do the work of ministry and draw many out of the darkness into Your light, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!