“My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm” (Daniel 6:22 ESV).
Daniel’s story is instructive to those who live as a religious minority under a worldly government. God gave Daniel wisdom to navigate the political tangle of Babylonian and Persian rule and yet remain steadfast to his faith. Even so, he still often experienced persecution and threats to his life.
How do we live out our faith at work or school, when expressing our faith is discouraged by company policies or prohibited by federal laws? As Daniel did, we should submit to the authorities over us, unless they cause us to break faith with the ultimate Authority, our God. Daniel feared the Lord more than he feared the lions. And the Lord rescued him.
When the king saw that God had rescued Daniel, he made a decree instructing his whole kingdom to worship the “God of Daniel.” God used Daniel’s faithfulness to turn a prayer prohibition into a nationwide prayer movement!
PRAYER: Dear Father, give us wisdom and courage to live out our faith in this world. Empower us to be Your witnesses by Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.