Live Courageously
Live Courageously
THE POINT
Do the right thing in God’s strength.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
Yesterday, I was on the phone with one of my sisters. Actually, I was not on my phone; I was in my car. I spoke out loud and told my car to call my sister. She answered and said, “Hold on. Let me get my phone. I am talking to my watch.”
Such capabilities used to be something we might read about in comic books or see in some sci-fi movie or TV show. Now, however, it has become common.
Years ago, I heard a guy on talk radio declare that our grandchildren will one day laugh at us. They will say, “You mean, you used to have to hold onto a wired receiver and be six feet or less from a box that was attached to the wall so you could talk to somebody else who was six feet from a box attached to his wall?” I remember thinking, I will always use a phone attached to the wall. Wow was I ever wrong! So much has changed.
How do we respond to change? What changes do we embrace? What happens when cultural changes occur that are at odds with our beliefs? What is non-negotiable, and how do we decide?
Question 1:
What change or innovation in your lifetime have you gladly embraced?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
Daniel 6:6-10
6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. 7 All the administrators of the kingdom—the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” 9 So King Darius signed the written edict. 10 When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
Daniel’s wisdom, impeccable reputation, and ability to solve complex problems had distinguished him from others. He was one of three federal appointees who oversaw the 120 “satraps” (meaning protectors of the kingdom or realm) who governed smaller territories. These local officials were essential because at its zenith, the Persian Empire was the largest kingdom that had ever existed.
- The Plot. The satraps and Daniel’s fellow overseers became jealous when they learned Daniel was about to receive a promotion; they devised a plot to remove him. They knew Daniel was a man of deep faith and that he would choose to show loyalty to God rather than loyalty to a king.
The phrase “went together” carries the idea in Hebrew of rushing like a loud mob to see the king. Certainly not all of those mentioned in verse 7 had agreed unanimously to the idea. The claim was an exaggeration, like a teenager protesting to his or her parent, “But everybody’s doing it!”
Regardless of how many had agreed to the idea, though, the statement is a reminder that proper action is not determined by popular vote. Just because something is legal doesn’t mean it’s right. We know the conspirators’ statement was a lie; certainly, Daniel had not agreed to the idea.
Running all the prayers and official requests through King Darius set him up as the various gods’ lone representative and the final voice for all political authority. In essence, it meant that for thirty days, Darius was ruler of heaven and earth, at least in his mind. The proposition appealed to Darius’s ego, his lust for power, and personal insecurity. He put the decree in writing, which meant the order was irrevocable (Esth. 1:19). Disobedience meant death.
- The Praying Prophet. A new law didn’t change Daniel’s behavior. He continued praying “just as he had done before.” The Bible doesn’t require a person to kneel and pray three times a day. Daniel’s visible practice reflected what couldn’t be seen—the commitment of his heart and his love for God. Daniel knew prayer is essential for a person of faith and that it changes things. Prayer was a priority for Daniel.
Having a room upstairs indicated Daniel had an elevated status in Persian culture. A flat roof with a protective parapet was common; a room upstairs with windows was not. Windows on a lower level were usually located high on the wall and covered with lattice, not glass; this allowed both airflow and privacy. Daniel’s upstairs windows though were open, giving a clear view into the room.
At the temple dedication, Solomon introduced the practice of facing Jerusalem when praying (2 Chron. 6:34-39). This continued into the New Testament era. Why face Jerusalem? God had revealed His presence and glory there (1 Kings 8:10-11). And although the Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, God promised to return and reveal His glory there again (Ezek. 42:1-5; Jer. 29:10-14). Facing Jerusalem while praying symbolized faith and hope.
Daniel had heard about Darius’s decree. Nonetheless, Daniel bravely resumed his usual prayer practice. He wasn’t trying to flaunt his disobedience or draw attention to himself. He was doing what he had likely been doing three times a day for his sixty-plus years in Babylon; he knelt, faced Jerusalem, and offered his prayers and thanksgiving to God. Prayers this day, though, took on a new status—they were illegal.
What can we learn about Daniel’s prayer life from this description? Daniel prayed consistently. He set aside time each day to pray, which meant prayer was a priority. He prayed with humility and thanksgiving, unashamedly and expectantly, trusting God would keep His promises. Daniel set a pattern for us to follow still today.
Question 2:
How have you been personally impacted by shifts in our culture?
Daniel 6:11-13
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable.” 13 Then they replied to the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.”
How long do you think Daniel’s accusers stared through his windows, waiting on him to pray? The Hebrew verb translated “went as a group” in verse 11 carries the idea that they worked together with a malicious intent. In English, it’s the difference between planning and plotting.
- The Conspirators. Once the group saw Daniel pray, they sprang to action. Those who had convinced King Darius to enact the edict now rushed to get him to enforce it. This had been their evil intent all along. They reminded Darius of his edict—the offense and the punishment—and had him verbally agree to enforce it. Only then did the group identify the offender. They wanted the king to paint himself into a corner, and it worked.
Like Satan, we see the conspirators of Daniel lying, deceiving, and accusing him before the throne with the intension to kill him. The battle here wasn’t physical or political; it was spiritual.
- The Conundrum. The scene compels us to ask ourselves what we should do when faced with obeying what God says or what the law says when the two conflict. The Bible teaches us that we are to obey the law, but that God’s law takes priority over man’s law.
As our world becomes more secular, there will be times when obeying God’s Word or man’s law will be in direct opposition. We’ll be forced to weigh the consequences and decide who to obey. It’s easy to proclaim, “As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord” (Josh. 24:15) when there’s no penalty for choosing otherwise. But we’re called to a different level of commitment when following God’s will means losing a job or going to jail. The time to make the decision is beforehand.
Question 3:
What does it mean to honor God in our day-to-day lives?
Daniel 6:16-17,21-23
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. … 21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God.
Engage
Standing Apart
List a few cultural norms that conflict with honoring God in each of the following areas. Then answer the question.
Relationships:
Money:
Work:
Entertainment:
In which of these areas do you need to make a change in your life to demonstrate your allegiance to God?
Torturous death sentences were common in the ancient Near East. Persian kings inflicted cruel forms of punishment and execution.
- Death Sentence. Yet Daniel is the only known example from the ancient Near East of someone being dropped into a lion’ s den. Since Darius issued the royal decree with its accompanying punishment, he was the one to seal the entrance to the lions’ den.
The lions’ den or pit into which Daniel was dropped was a dry underground cistern that people no longer used for storing water. Sometimes these were used as prisons. When Daniel was ultimately brought up from the lions’ den, it was likely by rope (v. 23).
- Daniel’s Faith. Daniel was now probably over eighty years old. His unfailing love and devotion for Yahweh had always been evident. Daniel hadn’t hidden his faith but had lived boldly for God. Even King Darius knew of Daniel’s unshakable faith. The contrast between what he saw in Daniel and the prophet’s accusers was remarkable. Daniel displayed integrity; they were deceitful. Daniel was true to God; they lied to the king. Darius realized the intent of the accusers was to destroy Daniel, not to honor the king. Daniel’s intent was to honor his God, whom he had served continually. Shouting down into the pit, Darius affirmed his hope that Daniel’s God would rescue him (v. 16).
After a sleepless night, Darius rushed to the pit and again called to Daniel. His words reflected a new conviction—survival would have been possible only at the intervention of the living God whom Daniel served. King Darius had seen Daniel’s commitment to God, a commitment that caused Darius to think that maybe, just maybe, Daniel had been right about this living God.
Darius’s actions that morning serve as a reminder that people are watching us, especially in times of difficulty. Our faithfulness can affect what an unbelieving world thinks about God. Our light can shine through the darkness and allow people to see the Father.
Question 4:
When has someone’s commitment to God
strengthened your resolve to honor Him?
Just the fact that Darius went to check on Daniel that morning is proof the king at least thought Daniel could be right. Hearing Darius’s voice, Daniel immediately gave glory to God. Daniel’s world had changed its standard for acceptable behavior. Daniel, however, had not. He remained faithful to God, regardless of his circumstances. He was willing to pay the ultimate price for his faith. Increasingly, our changing world wants us to embrace standards that are contrary to God’s Word. Our challenge is to remain faithful to Him, regardless of the cost.
Question 5:
How can spiritual practices or habits prepare us to stand firm in the face of opposition?
LIVE IT OUT
We are to do the right thing in God’s strength. Choose one of the following applications:
Express gratitude to God. When you first rise in the morning this week, think of one thing, person, or situation you are thankful for. Spend time during the day expressing your appreciation to God. Choose something different tomorrow.
Pray faithfully. If you haven’t already done so, set aside a space in your house to be your prayer “closet.” Each day this week, spend time there, reading God’s Word and praying.
Examine your life. Are there standards the world has set that are contrary to God’s Word, but you have embraced these anyway? Consider what changes you can or should make to help you be faithful to what is God’s will. What one change will you make first?
