Pilgrims And ForeignersSample

Daniel – Firmness under persecution (Daniel 3)

Three young men in a foreign country. Who would keep an eye on them? Well… there is always someone watching us, the believers! "You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone (…) must fall down and worship the image of gold, and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. But there are some Jews (…)” (Dan 3:10-12). We can think that we are insignificant, that it doesn’t matter what we do or what we say, that nobody will take notice… but there is always someone watching. At some point they noticed we were different and they will not stop observing us ever since. The three men knew it. They were the same men that had decided not to contaminate themselves with the king’s food and now they decide not to contaminate themselves with his gods. Who is faithful with small issues learns to be faithful in big issues. Tiny lights in a foreign land.

They could have sneaked out in the multitude. They could have endured this minute and then have continued with their lives. But they don’t hide. Like Daniel, praying at his window three times a day. And when the world’s emperor, full of arrogance, spits at them with all the disdain and in a mocking tone ("…Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?" (3:15)), their voice doesn’t shake: "the God we serve is able to save us from it (…). But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods…” (3:17-18).

The Babylon we live in is also convinced of its absolute power. It thinks that we and our families are its properties but it doesn’t know that we are citizens of another country, that we are here just for a moment, and that the law of our King is burning in our hearts. That’s why, when everybody applauds injustice, ignorance and indecency, we won’t kneel down. When the bad is called good and the good is called bad, we won’t kneel down. When they threaten and insult us, we won’t adore their gods.

Because our King honours those who honour Him. He walks with them when they walk through the fire (Is 43:2). And soon He will receive us home. 

Raquel Berrocal

Motives of gratitude: 

· Thank God because, no matter where we are, his presence is with us and helps us.

Confession:

· We want to repent for all those times we have not been brave enough to remain pure and firm, not falling, and giving good testimony

Requests:

· May we be faithful in that which is least, so that we learn to be faithful in much. 

· Lord, help us to not conform to this century; may we live thinking and acting knowing that our citizenship is in the heavens