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Standing on the Edge
Daniel knew that the law had been signed and he knew the consequences of following God’s will. He could feel the breath of the lions looming in his future. He also knew that he was blameless in God’s eyes and he put his trust in God to protect him. He did not allow the words of man to override the word of God and this took courage. I can imagine what was going through his mind when the men came for him as he knelt and prayed. Reading this chapter I try to correlate it to my own life. I have been struggling to maintain my job in the face of outsourcing for well over a year now. I have done everything humanly possible to help my situation and finally decided several months ago to place it squarely in God’s hands. This is difficult for me. I feel like I’m standing on the brink of a pit leading into the lion’s den but I know that my faith and trust in God will see me through. This is probably as close as I can get to Daniel’s incredible faith. I know God will open the correct door when the time is right but that time is of His choosing, not mine. In these troubled times of layoffs, downsizing, and outsourcing there are many people facing uncertain futures. We could all take a lesson from Daniel. In the face of a certain future, lion food, he trusted God and never wavered from the path. With that perspective, having to find another job doesn’t seem quite so bad.
thanks Johnny, It do see our working world in Daniel’s world. People don’t change much. Who ever said the Bible isn’t relavant doesn’t read the same book I do. I’ll continue to pray for you job. Thanks for playing you guitar for us. I wish you were up there more.
Johnny……. This is Daniel…………….from church. Just messin’ with ya. But seriously, thank you for your thoughts. I think you hit it spot on. Being able to turn to Him at anytime and lay our burdens at His feet and trust in Him. Wow. Just being able to do that by itself , not considering all the countless other blessing we have when we accept Christ in our hearts and follow Him makes me never want to let my bible stand dormant again.
Hey, you hit that note for sure! Just another reason I enjoy calling you my friend.
I am sure, in fact I know, that there are some that consider you only as a guitarist. “Who’s Johnny?” “He’s the guy with the big red guitar.” So many times we value each other for talents and material we have and things we do rather than for Jesus in us. Everyone’s got a story and if we just take the time to talk to each other then we would learn how God is working.
“Who’s Daniel? He’s the seer, and the king’s adviser,” the sorry satraps would say. Daniel absolutely did not care what law they got the king to sign! He was going to serve God who had brought him through everything, the God who spoke to him, and who placed him in position as adviser to three kings. No matter what happened, he would serve God. His attitude was the same as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; even if God chose to not deliver them from the furnace they would still worship no one but God. Even if it meant being eaten alive, Daniel would not pray to any false god or earthly king. Would I compromise to adapt to the situation?
What makes Daniel great is not that he was a prophet and wrote a book in the Bible. He was great because he had the character developed through prayer and devotion to God. God then used him in those capacities, and we know him today. Just like you, JV, playing Big Red – that ain’t what makes you great. It’s giving it all over to God to use you as He sees fit.
Thank you Bill! That means a lot coming from who I consider my elder and spiritual mentor. I’m not sure you realize how much I value your friendship and advice.
Johnny, you’ve taken a story from history and made it relevant to today’s society. I think you’re better at this than you think. Of course it helps when you have God on your side. Thank you for your insights.
Thank you for your service in playing for us. Like Penny, I wish I could see more of it.
“My Elder” Ouch….
Daniel 6:11 indicates the men were counting on the fact that Daniel would not compromise his faith. They go together knowing they will catch Daniel breaking the kings degree.
Oh, if we could have this kind of witness in our own lives today! Imagine how people could see Jesus in us if we would live our lives by conviction instead of compromise? What if we lived lives marked by integrity? What if we were honest, faithful and true? No matter what.
I’d like to try that some day. Maybe just for one day. My thoughts get in the way. God is still working on me. I’ll let you know what it looks like when I can let God change me that much-even my thoughts. On second thought, when God changes me that much, I won’t have to let you know what it looks like. I won’t have to talk about it; you will see it!
Thanks Johnny for your encouraging thoughts.
These uncertain times make me lean on the certainty of God. How great that He is the same yesterday today and forever. If he protected Daniel so ss. Praise the Lord.
Johnny,
Thanks for my guitar, it rocks. And thanks you for feeding us today.
JV -
It occurred to me that Daniel didn’t change in the heat of crisis. Some men do the extraordinary in times of crisis… but Daniel had such a deep grasp on the discipline of prayer that he simply prayed as he had always prayed. He didn’t change a thing. That’s very convicting for me.
My prayer usually has to heat up when the fires increase. I want to pray intentionally and intensely in whatever season I face.
Daniel and JOHNNY VICTOR are my heroes!
JV my friend…thanks for your words…and as I’ve said to you before…thanks for not only being true to how God has UNIQUELY created you (emphasis intentional), but also for being transparent and unapologetic for what God has brought you through and where you find your strength today – all pointing back to and glorifying God. Like Daniel, God inspires me through you. Thanks again my friend.