Summer is ending and children are going back to school. That is an occasion for prayer. For my grandsons. For my son and daughters-in-law and niece as they resume their responsibilities as teachers. For friends who are sending their children off to school this morning. For some of them, this is the last first day of school before their children graduate. For others, that journey is just beginning. In every case, back to school day is time for some serious praying. Because it's a hard world out there.
Yet even as our children venture out into this hard world with their new clothes and new lunchboxes and new book bags, all across the world children and their parents are facing a different set of harsh realities. And they could only wish for a beautiful late summer day with a new lunchbox and new book bag, and for the opportunity to innocently begin another year of school. Their world is much harder.
We've been studying Daniel in our Life Group this month. Yesterday our focus was on Daniel 6. That's the chapter about Daniel in the lion's den, a familiar chapter to those of us who grew up regularly attending Sunday School. As I think about everything going on in our world, Daniel's story becomes so much more than just a Bible story I remember from childhood. Daniel's story is very much the story of many men and women and boys and girls around the world this morning.
In Daniel's day, King Darius had signed a decree that no one could worship or pray to any god or man except himself. The penalty for violating this decree was to be cast into the lion's den. And that, of course, is equivalent to a death penalty, since we all know what would happen if a person were to be cast into a den of hungry lions.
How did Daniel respond? He knew the decree had been signed. He knew what would happen if he continued to pray to his God. Even so, "when Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously." (Daniel 6:10 ESV)
In spite of what it might cost him, Daniel continued to pray, just as he had always done. If we bring Daniel's story into the 21st century, Daniel is very much like men and women and children in the Middle East today whose lives are on the line because of their faith in Jesus. For Daniel, the command was to renounce his faith or face the lion's den. Men and women and children in the Middle East today, and in other parts of the world as well, are faced with a similar threat: renounce your faith, convert to Islam, or die.
The question is often asked, why doesn't God put a stop to this? Why doesn't He protect these people from this kind of persecution?
My question is a bit different. Why do they have to suffer like this and I don't? Why am I protected from this kind of suffering? No one stood at the door of my church yesterday to prevent me from entering. No one is knocking on my door this morning and holding a gun to my head to prevent me from praying or reading my Bible. And for that, I am very thankful indeed.
But what if they were? Would I be strong enough in my faith to stand firm? When that kind of persecution comes to this country, and it likely will at some point, will I be strong enough in my faith to do as Daniel did? Will I be strong enough in my faith to continue doing as [I] have been doing previously?
If it were difficult to go to church, if there were men with guns blocking my way, would I go anyway? If I were commanded not to pray, would I pray anyway? When persecution comes, will I stand firm?
Why are believers in the Middle East suffering such profound persecution? Why do some suffer and not others? Why them and not me?
Hard questions.
But things we need to be thinking about.
I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary.
I believe whatever the cost.
And when time has surrendered
And earth is no more,
I'll still cling to the old rugged cross.
I believe whatever the cost.
And when time has surrendered
And earth is no more,
I'll still cling to the old rugged cross.
(Gaither/Oldham)
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed." (1 Peter 4:12-14a ESV)
"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12 ESV)
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