“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food...” – Daniel 1:8
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your goods or worship the golden image that you have set up.'” – Daniel 3:16-18
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house…got down on his knees three times a day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.” – Daniel 6:10
We begin the second half of our Lenten journey in the Book of Daniel. It highlights a part of our story when the people of Israel are in a time of transition…a time of exile. The Northern and Southern Kingdoms of Israel had fallen and much of the land destroyed by the Assyrians and the Babylonians. Some remained as slaves in their occupied homeland and others were taken captive as servants of the conquering nations.
Every story has its ups and downs. The circumstances in any individual’s life can go from prosperity to poverty in a heartbeat. We see governments tumble and boundary lines change in a day. If there is anything certain on this journey called life, it is that things change. Storms can come up quickly and throw us off balance. So, what can we do? Is there anything we can hold on to…an anchor…a rock…a fortress?
God is our Rock and our Fortress. He is the constant throughout our story. He does not change and His love for His people does not waver. David said,
“Therefore, we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…the LORD of hosts is with us…” – Psalm 46:2, 11
This is illustrated in the Book of Daniel. In the familiar stories of these exiled believers we see an unwavering devotion to their God. Although their world has been turned upside down and their circumstances have become hostile…unfamiliar…and dangerous, they have a resolve that keeps them focused. It is a testimony of what genuine love looks like in adversity. There is a faithfulness that circumstances cannot change. It is a devotion that stays constant in the face of threats and struggles.
We all have times like this in our specific stories when things seem unsure, circumstances change, the doctor’s report is bad news. Jesus said that the “sun rises on the evil and the good, the rain falls on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). The Bible gives us the good and the bad stuff in our story. It is not the “scrubbed” or edited version. It is life uncut. The story of God loving His people in good times and bad…at home or in exile…in sickness and in health.
Our relationship with God does not give us a free pass from the challenges of this world. It does not make us immune to tragedy or having to walk through the valleys of life. In Psalm 23 David said, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.” He acknowledges that there will be valleys, but his strength is that the LORD…The Good Shepherd is with him. HE is with us.
Daniel and his three friends knew that God was with them. They loved God more than their circumstances or comfort. It was their relationship to God that gave them the strength to remain faithful no matter the pressure…no matter the danger…no matter the outcome…”even if He doesn’t deliver us we will remain true to Him”.
Today, in the changing world around you, tie your line to the Rock of Your Salvation and hold on to Him. It is the only way to make it through the storm.
This is your story.