S)"10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously."
Daniel 6:10 (NASB)
O) Eventually, serving God will become outlawed. I hope I don't live to see the day that reading the Bible, worshiping, and praying to Jesus Christ becomes literally unlawful, but there is a possibility. Certainly, there are aspects of Christianity that are bordering on illegal, even now. There are two keys to this verse. First, is simply that Daniel was not swayed by the ruling against what he knew to be right (or, enforcing what he knew to be wrong). That's obviously the important part, as it was what indicted him. The second part mentioned, though, is the last line, "as he had been doing previously." Daniel was prepared to serve God despite persecution.
A) In the end times, there will be many who turn away from God and abandon their faith. That will come from deception and confusion, but also from intimidation and fear. Even well before reaching such dire straights as having to resist taking the mark of the beast (Revelation 13, 14), simply maintaining integrity in the current American culture is becoming harder and harder. As time goes on, it becomes increasingly important to build a foundation, and build fundamental disciplines as much as possible. For that matter, forget what may or may not be legal or acceptable; just considering when a trial may come, I will be much more able to handle a catastrophe (emotional, financial, physical, or other) if I am grounded in the classic disciplines like regular prayer, Bible study, fasting, worship, communion, giving, etc.
P) Father, in Hebrews 12:11, Your Word says that no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but later it produces righteousness and peace. God, I want that discipline. I want you to shape me and everyday, I will commit myself into Your hands to be molded as You see fit, Lord. Holy Spirit, help me become habitual in the disciplines of God, like Daniel, so that when trials and tribulations come, I will be able to withstand them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
P) Father, in Hebrews 12:11, Your Word says that no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but later it produces righteousness and peace. God, I want that discipline. I want you to shape me and everyday, I will commit myself into Your hands to be molded as You see fit, Lord. Holy Spirit, help me become habitual in the disciplines of God, like Daniel, so that when trials and tribulations come, I will be able to withstand them. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.
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