Among LionsSample

CONTEXT: After defeating Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar takes captives back to Babylon, including Daniel and his friends.

After decades of war and destruction, Jerusalem and her people find themselves broken, with very little hope. They don’t even have a temple where they can worship. It would appear that God has abandoned them. In 605 B.C., we find four young men, Daniel, Mishael, Azariah, and Hananiah. The four, along with many others, had been taken captive. After his victory over Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon took those who possessed strength, beauty, and wisdom, leaving the weak behind.

Being forced from your home, friends, and family after watching the destruction of your beloved homeland had to be painful. But we will see that these four possessed something far greater than the outward characteristics the king rewarded. They had an unwavering faith in God they carried with them. It was their foundation of faith that they would stand on when their circumstances looked unbearable and impossible.

We also can have that certainty of God’s love and care if we focus on Him and His principles for our lives. It might seem impossible to love God more than your family or friends. But when we make God our first priority and build our lives on Him, we can face unforeseeable hardships, struggles, and challenges with peace. So, what does faith like that entail? First, it begins with submitting completely to His Son, Jesus, as we ask Him to forgive our sins and accept His gift of salvation. It continues with daily devotion to God through prayer, worship, Bible reading, and listening for His voice and direction. God is available to everyone as a loving father and companion who welcomes us into His arms through times of mourning, pain, and suffering. We can take comfort and courage knowing that the same God Daniel and his friends relied on when their homeland, family, and all other forms of familiarity were snatched away from them is the same God we can trust with all of our circumstances today.

CONSIDER THIS:

1. Think about a challenging time when you suffered pain or discouragement. How did you see God intervene to help you heal?

2. Examine your own faith. When hardships come, are you quick to focus on your circumstances or seek peace in God’s love?

3. Write a prayer to your Heavenly Father, asking Him to help you grow and strengthen your faith as you learn to trust in Him day by day.