Faith that stands...even in the Lions' Den

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home.

And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem,

he knelt down on his knees three times that day,

and prayed and gave thanks before his God,

as was his custom since early days (Daniel 6:10, NKJV).

How important is it to teach and lead our children in the ways of the Lord from their earliest days? Daniel’s example confirms that it is vital.

The above verse tells us that when Daniel learned that the edict had been signed, proclaiming that anyone who worshiped or prayed to anyone other than King Darius would be thrown into the lions’ den, Daniel immediately went to his room and prayed—not privately but openly where there was no doubt he would be seen.

Courageous? Sure. But I believe it had more to do with his practiced commitment to follow the God he had served from his youngest years. Daniel didn’t suddenly decide to defy the king and to pray in a prominent place when he heard of the certain outcome, nor did he cower in a corner of his room, begging God for deliverance and protection. Because he had long since learned to worship and pray, openly and without compromise despite the consequences, he immediately reverted to what he already knew was right—and then acted on it.

That’s the kind of faith I want, don’t you? I want to be so steeped in my relationship with the Lord that each time I hear good news, bad news, or no news, I go straight to the place where I regularly meet with God, and then spend time in worship and prayer as if nothing had changed. For that’s the kind of faith that will not bend under trial or testing—even under threat of being thrown into the lions’ den.

If we didn’t receive that sort of training or example as children, it’s never too late to learn and practice it now. And it is certainly never too late to model it to our children, regardless of their age. May we all be like Daniel, committed to bold, uncompromising worship and prayer, no matter the outcome—for even if we end up in the lions’ den, we know Emmanuel will be there with us.