Daniel 6:10 (NIV) – … Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
A harmful (but effective) tactic that Satan uses to discourage Christians is intimidation. In a court of law, a judgment can be passed but until the enforcement of that judgment is activated, the judgment is only a compilation of words. Satan knows that when we decide (make a judgment) to do something, until we act upon it, it is merely a cloud bubble of wishful thinking. It’s in the moments between thought and action that he uses his weapon of intimidation to deter us from enforcing our judgment.
Daniel had already decided to pray to the Lord three times a day as part of his ongoing relationship with God. Because of jealous colleagues, a judgment was decreed that no one could pray to anyone but the king for thirty days. Daniel had a choice of action to make at that moment. He could choose to continue his relationship with God, or make “adjustments” in order to negotiate a settlement with intimidation. Courage never negotiates with intimidation. Ever. Guess what Daniel did?
Whoever said that courage doesn’t have consequences probably has never acted courageously. Intimidation can be used twice by the enemy in the “you better not do this or else!” phase 1and in the “now you’ve done it, you just wait” phase 2. Daniel had to overcome fear twice; once by kneeling and praying, the other by trusting God to deliver him from the consequences of his actions. The consequences of being thrown into a den of lions for a night gave Daniel the opportunity to courageously trust God for deliverance. Because of Daniel’s decision to pray, just as he had done before, God’s deliverance influenced a king and a nation to serve Him. What could your courage do?
Reflections
Context of scripture verse – Daniel 6:1-28
Consider:
- Read the context of the verses
Challenge:
- Have you ever “negotiated” with intimidation? Are there areas in your life right now that you buckle to the threat of intimidation?
Apply:
- In Romans 8:15, we’re told that we have not received a spirit of fear that leads us into bondage. With that promise and knowledge, if you face something that makes you feel “bound” to act in a certain way, you can be certain that it is not the Spirit of God, but of intimidation and control. In your prayers today, ask God to give you courage and the Spirit that strengthens you.
Note to Self: (reflections, challenges, reminders)