A Quote by C.S. Lewis
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point…Pilate was merciful till it became risky.” (C.S. Lewis)
Honoring the Bridegroom
The only way the Bride of Christ can glorify her Bridegroom is by living a courageous life. We need to keep obeying and honoring Jesus, even when life makes it difficult or even dangerous.
I not talking about a militant, harsh, scolding Christianity. Our light is meant to reflect the love of Christ and our Savior always dealt very gently with sinful, broken people. But today’s society keeps increasing the pressure on believers to compromise with the world’s values.
We need to start asking the Holy Spirit to help us love our Heavenly Bridegroom more deeply.
We won’t be able to stand otherwise.
A Deathtrap for the Prophet Daniel
Daniel is a example of courage in the midst of great danger. In Daniel 6, King Darius appoints 120 satraps with three administrators to help him rule his vast empire. Think of these men as regional government officials, tasked with making the King’s decrees a reality. Daniel shows himself to be such a great administrator that Darius decides to promote him over the whole kingdom.
The 120 satraps and other two administrators become jealous and try to discredit Daniel. But they can’t, because he does all his work with great integrity and faithfulness.
…They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 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 6:4-5 NIV)
Banding together, the other government officials trick King Darius into making a stupid decree, which will bring about Daniel’s death.
The Deathtrap
- All 122 officials flatter the king into passing a law that for the next 30 days none of his subjects may pray to any other god or man, accept to King Darius.
- Anyone caught breaking this law will immediately be thrown alive into the lion’s den.
- Unfortunately, no law passed by the Medes and Persians can be changed or cancelled.
The true evil here is that Darius’ foolishness will be used to destroy the man he trusts and values.
Because this is the one law Daniel isn’t willing to obey.
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.
12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree… (Daniel 6:10-12 NIV)
The Difference between Daniel and Myself
In Daniel’s shoes, I would have prayed my heart out too.
But I’d be praying under my breath, in my upstairs windowless bathroom. Behind a locked door. When my enemies broke into the house, I’d flush the toilet and come out, wiping wet hands on a towel, asking why they’d come.
Not Daniel.
He stays true and prays to his God beside an open window, knowing he’s going to die.
Remember, unlike the rest of us, Daniel doesn’t know the end of his own story, Is he afraid? Grieving? Perhaps raging about the unfairness of it all? Begging for God’s help?
Yes—who wouldn’t be?
His enemies come and find Daniel faithfully praying to his God. They spring their deathtrap. The king tries to save him, but is finally forced to toss Daniel into the pit filled with hungry lions.
My favorite part of this story is when King Darius shouts spiritual encouragement to his doomed friend.
16 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)
Daniel gets thrown into the lion’s den at sundown. After a sleepless night, a brokenhearted King Darius runs to the pit to find out Daniel’s fate.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.20 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?”
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me... (Daniel 6:19-21 NIV)
Overjoyed, King Darius ends up sending out a new decree, telling everyone in his kingdom to fear and honor the God of Daniel, who saved him from the power of the lions.
No Back-up Plan
Daniel chooses to depend upon His God for safety. Unlike me, he doesn’t have a “Plan B.” Remember my idea of flushing the toilet and coming out, drying my hands? Yes, I’d continue to pray to the Almighty.
But only in secret.
Outwardly I’d pretend to follow the king’s foolish decree and keep myself safe. But that’s fearing man and not God.
Not Daniel.
If the Lord doesn’t supernaturally rescue him, Daniel’s life will end. But what he won’t do is compromise.
He’d rather die than do that.
My images come from Pixabay.com.
To my Brothers and Sisters Facing Persecution Today
This verse was laid on my heart for you.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:16 NIV)
Resources:
Here is the full C.S. Lewis quote:
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality. A chastity or honesty or mercy which yields to danger will be chaste or honest or merciful only on conditions. Pilate was merciful till it became risky.”
