Since the beginning of the year, our Church has been doing a 40-day social media fast, and it was such a welcome gift. Even though I don't really use social media much anymore, I had been praying about how to thin out my schedule because of how intense my school load is this subterm. There had to be a deficit somewhere! Then it hit me...thank you, Holy Spirit...I could take a break from blogging, and with the joy of feeling rescued from my own expectations, I joined in. It was so helpful to have that space, but I am also ready to come back to the table...sharing what God is doing through His Word. What a blessing God gives...the wax and wane of rest and run!
As we were coming out of the fast, I was reminded of this blog I wrote when my Daddy was moving in with us just three years ago. What a sweet season it has been...a true honor to have been invited by God to walk alongside my Daddy a little more closely during this time!
During that time of transition, though, a lot of cleaning up and cleaning out had to be done. I’m not super sentimental, but I got excited when I ran across a box of family Bibles. And look what I found—a note from my Mama! It always gets me when I find things she took the time to write, but this one made me dig a little deeper.
Daniel 6:16 actually says…
“So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king told Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!”
Now we all know how the story of Daniel in the lion’s den ends: The mouths of the lions are shut, Daniel lives, Darius makes a decree proclaiming the glory of the Living God, and Daniel goes on to prosper.
Typically, a quick Sunday school “felt board” review of that story would be enough to amaze my heart, but I don’t guess I’ve ever really intentionally looked at verse 16.
King Darius knows and loves Daniel. He has great respect for him and his faith, but because of his love for himself he has signed a law against prayer that would damn his friend to the lion’s den. He recognizes he had made a mistake and then fasts and prays all night. In other words, he is driven TO the Lord based on a life lived faithfully and sacrificially FOR the Lord. Commentary says,
“Darius had faith, and it was faith born out of Daniel’s trust in the Lord”*.
I have no clue what my Mama was thinking of or going through when she wrote this, but I can say firsthand that her life was one of many fires and lion’s dens. God poured Himself out on her, though, and she made up her mind she was going to serve Him, and then she just did... one fire or lion at a time. She had faith and trust that shined like the stars, and out of that, people were changed!!! BUT just like the life of Daniel... the story included her, but wasn’t about her.
Daniel did not shut the mouths of the Lions, and in the end, Daniel was not the one Darius praised. My Mama did not display faith and kindness that could move mountains out of her own storehouse of goodness or strength, and at her funeral, it was not her that hearts were turned to!! In both cases, it would have to be God who gave them the faith to obey, God who rescued them, and God alone who deserved all the praise!!
In light of this verse, and the way she wrote it as a prayer for herself, my heart is reminded of 1 Peter 5 that says that we should be humble, sober, and alert, training our hearts towards faith and surrender IN suffering, because the devil is prowling liking a roaring lion, looking for whom he may devour. I realize we have a responsibility to live in expectation of God while those who don’t know are watching. We must trust and obey even in the fire or lion's den. I also recognize that we are not god's unto ourselves...
we still need to be rescued BY HIM!!!!
What a noble place we have been given to stand! It is one of great strength and perseverance, yet one of profound humility, understanding that all glory, power, and ability come from our great God!
Praise the Lord; it’s Sunday!! We GET to bow, just as we are, broken and in need!! We GET to stand as one, enjoying the rescue Jesus provided for us on the cross!! We GET to refuel in preparation for another week of sharing the greatest rescue story of all time to those who are broken and don’t know!!
#BeBlessed #BeFree #BeRescued #riseupwearyonetodaybelongstogod #persevereintherightplaces #aheartrefined #SundayEncouragement #SundayMotivation
"In You, O Lord, I have placed my trust and taken refuge;
Let me never be ashamed;
In Your righteousness rescue me.
Incline Your ear to me, deliver me quickly;
Be my rock of refuge,
And a strong fortress to save me.
Yes, You are my rock and my fortress;
For Your name’s sake You will lead me and guide me.
You will draw me out of the net that they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength and my stronghold.
Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness." Ps 31
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