Serving God in a Hostile Environment. The Example of Daniel and His FriendsSample

Daniel did not give in to pressure

The jealous officials had finally found something that could help them to get rid of Daniel; it was something “in connection with the law of his God”. They convinced the king to establish an ordinance that nobody could make petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to the king himself. Whoever disobeyed this ordinance would be cast into the den of lions. Of course, the officials had not come up with this idea to please the king, but because they knew that Daniel prayed to God three times a day. This was the ultimate test: would Daniel continue his prayers and risk a horrible death, or would he submit to the new ordinance?

Just as his enemies had hoped, Daniel valued God more than the king. He did not change his prayer habits, even though this meant execution. The laws were clear and there was no way of escape; not even king Darius could save Daniel. And so, he was cast into the den of lions.  

Daniel was not ready to give up on his prayers, not even under the pressure of a temporary, unjust ordinance designed by jealous rivals.

What is so important to you that you will stick to your principles even under pressure?