THURSDAY, MAY 10
Daniel 6:7-10
Psalm 46:1-11

“God is our refuge
and strength …”

THE ACID TEST

It was a cleverly contrived trap: no prayer or religious petition except through the king for thirty days. Penalty: into the den of lions! The presidents, governors and princes must have congratulated themselves and chuckled with devilish glee. Now, they thought, Daniel was finished!

The strange new law was signed and sealed, beyond alteration and recall. It would have come as a shock (or at least a surprise) to Daniel. It was a royal decree affecting everybody without exception. Despite his high position Daniel was not exempt. He fully realized the consequences of breaching the law. He knew the penalty and the method of execution. I dare say these thoughts and considerations went through his mind.

What would you have done, if you were in Daniel’s shoes? What escape routes can you think of? Report sick, get hospitalised for thirty days? Run away on vacation to a foreign country? Petition the king with strong arguments? Take leave of God and refrain from praying for thirty days? Even simpler, pray in secret, with windows shut? All these come to mind as possibilities. Which one do you fancy?

Read Daniel 6:10 again. Daniel learnt of the new law, went back to his house and worshipped God as he was accustomed to do. Windows wide open, “upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime.”

How could Daniel conduct himself so calmly? Surely he was very rash. To the man of the world, this was surely absolute foolishness, asking for trouble. But Daniel was not a man of the world. The Lord was with him. He was in close fellowship with God. God was very real to him. Had He not instructed him in interpreting Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams? Had He not delivered his three friends from the burning fiery furnace? Faith told Daniel: Your God is able! He is worthy of your trust!

THOUGHT: Fear goes out when faith comes in.
PRAYER: Forgive my fear of man, O Lord! Let me trust in Thee.