There was no reason for Daniel to be afraid. He had obeyed God perfectly. When we obey God, we do not have to worry about what will happen tomorrow. God has taken care of all of our tomorrows.
No Need to Fear | Devotional
There was no reason for Daniel to be afraid. He had obeyed God perfectly. When we obey God, we do not have to worry about what will happen tomorrow. God has taken care of all of our tomorrows. However, if we are living outside of His will in sin, then we can expect to face some really difficult times.
While He loves us with an everlasting love, God hates sin, and He wants us to hate it too. In Psalm 97:10, He commands us to “hate evil, you who love the Lord.” And in Psalm 37:27, He admonishes us to “depart from evil and do good, so you will abide forever.”
Sin causes a separation in our fellowship with God, and this sense of separation gives birth to fear. Deep within our spirits, we know what we have done is wrong. Guilt builds, and we want to hide from God rather than enjoy being in His presence. This is exactly what happened in the garden of Eden when Adam and Eve sinned against God. They became fearful and hid from His presence (Gen. 3:7–10).
Even when we sin, God does not stop loving us. He created us out of His love. His greatest desire is to have fellowship with us. Sin is the one thing that prevents this from happening.
When we yield to temptation and step away from what we know is right, we suffer the consequences of our decision. Yet, when we pray and seek His forgiveness, He offers it to us just as He gives His unconditional grace and mercy freely.
Few people have had to endure a night alone in a lions’ den where the stench of death is so strong that it is difficult to breathe. Plus, the lions used for this type of punishment usually were starved in advance so that they would hit their prey fast and tear it apart. However, Daniel escaped untouched. His life was spared and has become a testimony of faith—one that even King Darius was quick to acknowledge.
When problems escalate, you can do one of two things. You can ask God to give you the ability to remain steadfast in your faith, trusting Him to provide exactly what you need when you need it. Or you can become doubtful, fearful, and worried. Always remember, God is fully aware of your circumstances, and His commitment to you never Streams in the Desert, Mrs. Charles Cowman reminds us, “Sometimes, God sends severe blasts of trial upon His children to develop their graces.
Just as torches burn most brightly when swung to and fro; just as the juniper plant smells sweetest when flung into the flames; so the richest qualities of a Christian often come out under the north wind of suffering and adversity. Bruised hearts often emit the fragrance that God loveth to smell.”
Adversity provides the perfect opportunity for us to allow Him to stretch our faith, take us to new places of blessing, and prepare us for victories beyond anything we can imagine. Elijah, like Daniel, was severely tested. He had no idea that God was preparing him for a tremendous conquest—Mount Carmel loomed in his not-so-distant future (1 Kings 18). This was the very place where God demonstrated His greatest power to those who worshiped Baal.
Many times, when we are in the middle of God’s will and following His plan, He will require us to face a season of testing. A deeper level of faith and devotion usually requires time spent in darkness with Him. What is He requiring of you during this time of trial? Has He asked you to go to a place that seems far from your home? Do not worry. Do not be frightened. He is with you, and He will not leave you alone.