Hello my dear readers, it’s me again with “The Man of faith” series and this post will be the last series. This time I choose Daniel as the last figure. I choose Daniel because coincided with the problem I faced recently. Briefly, please allow me share to all of you. My problem begins when some time ago, one of our companies won the tender of government’s project. (I am sorry couldn’t mention the country). Turned out this success made envy one of our business competitor then they tried to spoil my reputation by propagates a rumor that in order to win the tender; I gave bribery (In the business world more commonly known as gratification) to some of VIP government officers. To be honest, I am shocked! Though I really know that the business world sometime is so cruel, I’m still shocked. In my whole life, there’s no one slandering me even in the business world. Since for the first time I get into the business world, I always try hard to not do things that contrary with God’s command and against the law, as well as my parents’ advice. Within a short time, it became a hot topic among the entrepreneurs and as the result I must face some authorities department of government to make a clarification. Many of friends who really know me didn’t believe it but many other believe and start to pout and cornered me. Even worse, they started to stigmatize me as a hypocrite Christian. It was really disturbing my heart and mind. When I discussed this problem with my husband, with a gentle smile he just said, “Please remember to Daniel’s story. I do believe you surely know what should to do…”
My mind instantly drifted to figure of Daniel. Daniel was a successful man. He was said to be ten times better than all the magicians throughout his kingdom (Daniel 1:20) Daniel also well-known as an intelligence man that exceed 120 satraps of the king and two other governors. (Daniel 6:2 – 4) Above of all, Daniel was used to praying and praising God three times a day no matter he was busy or not. (Daniel 6:10)
Daniel’s successful made the administrators and satraps envy and they tried to find some charge against Daniel. But the Bible mentioned:
… But they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. (Daniel 6:4)
But because they’re too spiteful and were determined to destroy Daniel’s career, they’re working hard to find fault and trapping Daniel. Finally they found the way and then said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (Daniel 6: 5) The next plot was, they establish a royal statute and a firm decree with the content is: “whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except to the king, shall be cast into the den of lions.” (Daniel 6: 7) Then they immediately went to the king to ask him to sign the decree and finally the decree signed!
When Daniel heard about the new decree, was he afraid? Was he stopping to pray? Not at all! Daniel didn’t flinch, didn’t worry! Daniel made no attempt to escape or pretend to not praying. Daniel didn’t pray furtively. What Daniel did was describing a remarkable step of faith.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (Daniel 6:10)
Even when he cast down into the lion’s den, by strong faith he said:
My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6: 22)
What was said by Daniel was right. It was proven when the king gave command to cast those who had accused Daniel into the den. Them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. (Daniel 6:24)
Daniel survived because of his faith. In all respects, including when he was having problems, He didn’t rely on his own strength to overcome it. He didn’t choose to flee, or seek misguided completion alternatives. When the trouble comes, Daniel came to God. He remained calm, and prayed to God. When he was about being harmed, he remained believe with firm faith in God, even he gave a remarkable testimony on an awesome and amazing God’s power.
My dear friends, after I ponder again the Daniel’s story, I felt enlightened and make me even know how I should behave. First, I have to believe and keep rely on God. In the life and death situation, Daniel’s faith didn’t waver at all. Daniel still believes that God will save him. King Darius have seen even his great faith before he cast to the lion’s den. The king said: “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” (Daniel 6:17) Although I had a similiar problem with Daniel, we had a different situation. I will not get capital punishment like Daniel. So I think there’s no reason for me to be overly afraid and worry about the accusation and slander on me. My husband reconfirms, “like a beautiful gem, though they being in the dirty mud hole they remains a beautiful gem. People may try to defame and ruin your reputation, but it is okay if you did nothing wrong. The truth is always being a winner. Daniel didn’t afraid because he believe God always be with him and he did nothing wrong”
The next important thing that I should to do is remain faithful. Daniel’s faith and believing in God shown by still pray and worship God faithfully. When he knew there was a new decree that hinder him to worship and pray to God, the first thing he did was went home and knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God. The last important thing I should to do is I shouldn’t grudge and returning evil for evil. Some of my friends suggested me to not just make a clarification but should to hit them back because they had arbitrarily tarnished my reputation. But once again my husband said,” Hit them back isn’t a wise act and not solve the problem instead will cause other problem. God’s word said: “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. (Romans 12:17) Vengeance is God’s authority. Even actually God said that we must love our enemies and pray for them.”
My beloved friends, the problem that happened to me could possibly occur to all of us. The question is when it happens, what should we do? Where should we go? Today, please allow me to encourage all of us to learn from Daniel. At least we could learn three valuable things from Daniel. First, through Daniel we can learn about the power of prayer. When because of the envy people try to malign, defame, or find fault on us, there’s no other better way than take it into prayer. James 5:16 said:
“…. Effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
Let us cry out to God through prayer. David said:
“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears.” (2 Samuel 22:7)
The second, we must trust that the God’s power will help us. Daniel truly believes in God’s power, the king Darius saw God’s power by his own eyes, and miracles happened to save Daniel. Eventually, the king Darius honors God and made a decree that in every dominion of his kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. (Daniel 6:26) My problem hasn’t finish but I must remain lean to God, not lean not on my own understanding. By faith, I strongly believe God will help me to reveal the truth. I know I will be in a very difficult situation and those who slandered me will not cease to looking for my fault, but once again, I don’t have to worry because:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
For God nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37)
With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverb 3:5)
The last, this’s about faithfulness. When Daniel knew that there was a new decree from the king, Daniel’s faithfulness didn’t shaky at all. He still faithful worship and pray three times a day as he usually did. In our daily lives, our faithfulness being tested when we face problems and tribulation severely. Are we remain faithful walk in the God’s way and not be tempted by worldly offers? Let Daniel’s faithfulness become a great example for us to be always faithful to God. God’s word said:
Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10)
My dear friends, God can deliver us from anything, even the most impossible thing according to human logic. Our God is fearfully and wonderfully God. When faced with the problems, slander, and being framed by the people who controlled by envy, don’t be afraid and worry. Let’s come to the Lord and pray. Ask for wisdom. God will always hear His children that pray earnestly. God will give us strength to overcome our problems.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13)
Cast our anxiety on Him because He cares us for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
Although we are slandered and harmed, we should not grudge and revenge, instead, as the Lord has commanded:
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 16:27-28)
Therefore, God’s love and greatness will be shows wherever we are and we could be the light that shine and bless many people even our enemies. Amen.
Karina – Living by faith
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Karina's Thought 