Let God Lead You

One of my favorite stories in the bible is about Daniel. He has complete faith in God, that does not waiver. God blessed Daniel with success. Daniel was distinguished in his work. The king was so impressed with Daniel’s exceptional qualities, that he wanted to promote Daniel.

Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
–Daniel 6:3 (NIV)

Do you have work place drama? I am thankful that I never had coworkers like Daniel’s. Yikes. Daniel’s coworkers wanted to get him thrown into the den of lions. It sounds like his coworkers were jealous or envious of Daniel’s exceptional work. They gathered together and tried to find charges to put against him. Daniel was trustworthy, and there was no corruption in him. Daniel was so faithful and loyal to God, that the only charge they could muster was a charge against his faith.

Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”
–Daniel 6:5 (NIV)

This group of men went to the king and asked him to issue a decree that during the next 30 days, anyone who prays to a god or human, except for the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel is faithful to God, so he continued to pray to God. His faith was so consistent and strong, that the people against him, knew Daniel would not stop praying to God. Wow, that is amazing. Daniel was a model of faithfulness. His faith was so constant, steady and reliable, that others knew Daniel would not waiver in his faith to God, even if it meant getting thrown into the lions’ den. So, the trap was set. Daniel kept praying to God, knowing the consequences.

So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?”

The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
–Daniel 6:12 (NIV)

The king followed on his decree. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
–Daniel 6:16 (NIV)

After spending the night in the lions den, the king goes to check and see if Daniel is alive. The king asked, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel was still alive and answered the king respectfully and with pure confidence and utter faith in God. Daniel did not apologize for his faith. Daniel continued to serve God, while locked in a lions’ cage. He did not nothing wrong. Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
–Daniel 6:20-22 (NIV)

Daniel’s faith was an example to everyone around him. God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. He was able to use Daniel to once again show God’s power and majesty. Because of one person’s faith, the king issued a decree for his kingdom to worship God.

Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
–Daniel 6:25-27 (NIV)

Daniel is an example of faithfulness, that I would like to follow. When I am scared, do I pray to God? Daniel prayed to God three times a day. Daniel let God lead him. Do I let go of myself and let God lead me? I start the day reading the bible and praying, but do I continue to pray throughout the day to stay on track? No, I have to admit that I start strong and fade throughout the day, as life happens, and I get tired. Just like we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, or we get hungry. I should pray to God three times a day to let God lead me. God knows the best path for us to follow. Let God lead you.