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Out of the Lion’s Mouth, December 17
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the
soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and
body in hell.
Matthew 10:28
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Daniel is an example to believers as to what it means to confess Christ.
He held the responsible position of prime minister in the kingdom of
Babylon, and there were those who were envious of Daniel among the
great men of the court, and they wanted to find something against him
that they might bring an accusation against him to the king. But he was a
faithful statesman, and they could find no flaw in his character or life.... So
they agreed together to ask the king to make a decree that no one should
ask any petition of any God or man for thirty days save of the king, and if
any disobeyed this decree, he was to be cast into the den of lions.
But did Daniel cease to pray because this decree was to go into force?
No, that was just the time when he needed to pray.... Daniel did not seek
to hide his loyalty to God. He did not pray in his heart, but with his voice,
aloud, with his window open toward Jerusalem, he offered up his petition
to heaven. Then his enemies made their complaint to the king, and Daniel
was thrown into the den of lions. But the Son of God was there.... When
the king came in the morning, and called, “O Daniel, servant of the living
God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from
the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God
hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not
hurt me.”
Daniel 6:20-22
....
We may know that if our life is hid with Christ in God, when we are
brought into trial because of our faith, Jesus will be with us. When we are
brought before rulers and dignitaries to answer for our faith, the Spirit of
the Lord will illuminate our understanding, and we shall be able to bear a
testimony to the glory of God. And if we are called to suffer for Christ’s
sake, we shall be able to go to prison trusting in Him as a little child trusts
in its parents. Now is the time to cultivate faith in God.
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