Obeys God Despite Any Threat Of Persecution

Obeys God Despite Any Threat Of Persecution

A HERO’S TALE

This is a story about a senior citizen, ravenous lions, and faithful prayer.

By Daniel 6 —the famous story of Daniel and the lions’ den —Daniel was an old man. The Persian Empire was now ruling the ancient Middle East, and Daniel was probably in his 80s at this point.

Daniel had lived faithfully for God in a foreign, pagan country, and God had blessed him. He was already one of King Darius’s top three government officials, and he was about to get promoted. But his fellow governors were jealous and tricked Darius into making a ridiculous law: if people prayed to anyone but Darius during the next month, they would be lion food.

It was clearly a trap. The conspirators knew that Daniel prayed to God three times every day. But when he heard the new law, Daniel returned to his bedroom; opened the western window toward Jerusalem; bent down on his old, creaky knees; and prayed to God, just like always.

You can almost imagine the governors’ villainous smiles. Excitedly, the evil men threw Daniel into the lions’ den, but God protected him from harm because he was “innocent” (Daniel 6:22). Realizing he had been tricked, King Darius lifted Daniel out of the den the next morning and tossed in the wicked governors and their families instead. The hungry lions had a big breakfast that day. Yikes!

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Daniel continued to obey God even though he knew persecution might come. The word persecute means “to cause to suffer because of belief.” In other words, it’s when people treat others unkindly because of their faith.

It’s no fun to be persecuted. Sometimes persecution involves teasing or ignoring someone. In some parts of the world, Christians are even killed for their faith. But the Bible says that Christians should expect persecution. Jesus himself said, “Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you” (John 15:20).

A true hero still loves and obeys God, no matter what people do to him. After all, Jesus also said, “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” (Matthew 5:10).

Fortunately, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll be thrown to hungry lions for your faith (phew!). But persecution will come in some form. Stay strong in your faith. Continue to trust and obey God, and he will strengthen and bless you!

BATTLE PLAN

Ask your parents to read to you from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, a famous historical collection of stories about Christians who died for their faith. For other tales of current persecution, check out the Voice of the Martyrs website at www.persecution.com (with your parents’ permission, of course!).