When Life Gives You Lions - Rev Benjamin Lee

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹.

King Darius appointed three top officials to oversee the kingdom, and Daniel was promoted among them, stirring unhappiness. Daniel's rivals conspired to frame him and, knowing he was faithful to God, focused on his devotion, persuading the king to issue an unbreakable edict.

Despite the edict, Daniel continued his practice of kneeling, praying, and giving thanks to God with his window open towards Jerusalem. His rivals gathered evidence and reported him to the king, reminding him of his edict. The king was powerless to reverse his edict but ordered Daniel thrown into the lions' den. Yet God was in control and delivered Daniel from the lions' den, as proven when Daniel emerged unharmed after a night in the den.

The greatest battle wasn't in the lions' den but at the open window, looking to God. The moment Daniel decided the kingdom of heaven was evermore so real than the kingdom of earth, the battle was already won. By choosing to remain faithful – continuing to pray three times a day before the King of heaven – Daniel demonstrated that he trusted God is sovereign, looking to God at that open window.

Living authentically for us doesn't always mean a smooth sailing life, but trusting God is still in control keeps our minds focused. When troubles come into our lives, we're mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepared for it. Ultimately, it's a battle of which worldview we believe in and choose to live by: do we choose to believe God is still in control and be faithful disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ?