Everyday Daniel
When we consider Daniel we think about him in the lions’ den as if this was one bad day that turned out amazing. And because of the magnitude of this seemingly huge disaster, we consider the lions’ den not the everyday norm experience for Daniel.
In studying the entire book of Daniel, however, it has come to my attention that lion den experiences were the constant norm for him. First of all, let’s remember that Daniel was taken captive to a foreign land and force to go to school and learn things that were not his choosing (the new King’s books of learning and literature to that he could serve a foreign king)! Later, Daniel was threatened to be killed if he could not interpret a dream, his friends were thrown into a fire, Daniel was made to speak bold, harsh words to kings, he refused to bow down to idols, and then on a normal everyday for Daniel, he was thrown into the lions’ den!
Daniel’s fierce dedication to God caused him to experience fierce opposition from the world every day! In my own life, I’ve gotten used to everyday type days, making me thankful for non-tumultuous ones, but I have noticed a shift in my everyday type of experiences. The more I press into God, the more I seem to be persecuted by those who are not of God. I am reminded that the normal experiences of those who serve God are not full of ease and comfort. More so, although persecuted, a profound peace overflows enabling those who seek to serve with an “everyday Daniel” mentality to arise victorious.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we how are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Originally published Tuesday, 20 April 2021.
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