S.O.S.
The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” So King Darius put the decree in writing.
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.
Daniel 6:7-10
Well, by now, we probably know who our state premier is and who will govern as leadership of the NSW parliament.
For some time it has felt (for Christians) that the question hasn’t been which moral direction will the major parties take the country/state but how slippery will the slope be. In the space of the last 20-30 years, the change has been remarkable and rapid.
How are Christians to live in an increasingly hostile environment?
Well, we saw on Friday, 2 Timothy 2. That our aim is to live quiet and peaceful lives. Speaking and living out the gospel. That’s why we pray for governments that will allow us to do that. But what happens when a government is elected that won’t?
Well, Daniel is a great reminder. We don’t live quiet and peaceful lives that pretend to be without God. I don’t think Daniel was doing anything different to what he had done most days. He wasn’t making a grand statement. He just continued as he had, to live for God in his daily life.
What do we do if things become more difficult in NSW/Australia? We keep living godly lives. It doesn’t mean we don’t change anything. We might. But we don’t change the fundamentals. We keep praying, keep telling people about Jesus, keep meeting as God’s people and keep living lives of love and service.
For Today:
Pray: Praise the Father that He is in control and comforts us in our struggles. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who remained faithful in the face of great opposition. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others live godly lives in every circumstance.
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.
Daniel 6:7-10
Well, by now, we probably know who our state premier is and who will govern as leadership of the NSW parliament.
For some time it has felt (for Christians) that the question hasn’t been which moral direction will the major parties take the country/state but how slippery will the slope be. In the space of the last 20-30 years, the change has been remarkable and rapid.
How are Christians to live in an increasingly hostile environment?
Well, we saw on Friday, 2 Timothy 2. That our aim is to live quiet and peaceful lives. Speaking and living out the gospel. That’s why we pray for governments that will allow us to do that. But what happens when a government is elected that won’t?
Well, Daniel is a great reminder. We don’t live quiet and peaceful lives that pretend to be without God. I don’t think Daniel was doing anything different to what he had done most days. He wasn’t making a grand statement. He just continued as he had, to live for God in his daily life.
What do we do if things become more difficult in NSW/Australia? We keep living godly lives. It doesn’t mean we don’t change anything. We might. But we don’t change the fundamentals. We keep praying, keep telling people about Jesus, keep meeting as God’s people and keep living lives of love and service.
For Today:
- Do you fear the changing view of Christianity?
- What is one thing you feel tempted to change because of opposition?
- What do you think it looks like today to do what Daniel did?
Pray: Praise the Father that He is in control and comforts us in our struggles. Give thanks for Jesus Christ who remained faithful in the face of great opposition. Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others live godly lives in every circumstance.
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