I am always encouraged by older people who remain faithful Christians all their lives. I am talking about folks in their 70's and 80's, maybe even in their 90's.
They
have endured many storms and trials in their lives and yet nothing
has caused them to be unfaithful to the Lord. They stick to their
convictions. They continue to attend services even after their spouses
have passed from this life.
They love Jesus! They have lived a lifetime of devotion to Him and they wouldn't think of giving Him up now.
Daniel is a great example of remaining faithful to God his entire life. He was taken captive when he was young - likely between 15-18. I think a lot of people don't realize that by the time he was thrown into the lion's den, he was an old man- probably somewhere around 80.
We don't read of any times that he sinned - or even slacked up in his faith and service to God. Daniel served more than one king who worshipped pagan gods and did so to the best of his ability. God blessed Daniel in that he was always favored by the kings he served.
By the time Daniel was serving under
Darius, he had been in captivity for around sixty years. Do you
think his heart ever longed for the home of his younger days? I am
sure he wished that his people were not in captivity. Still, he prayed
three times a day to his God.
Everyone that knew Daniel knew he served the God of Israel and prayed to him three times a day. Yet, he was still favored by Darius. So much so that the other governors were jealous of him. They did not like it that the king gave Daniel a position of authority over them.
We all know the story -- those who were jealous appealed to the king's vanity and had him come up with a law that forbade anyone in the kingdom to pray to anyone or any other god besides the king.
The scriptures tell us what Daniel did when he heard about this new law. He did not panic. He did not protest. He really didn't bring attention to himself in any way. Daniel did what he had done it all his life. He wasn't about to change now.
Daniel had the faith to know that if continuing to pray ended up costing him his earthly life God would take him home. Regardless of how it was going to turn out, he knew that he could not fail his God.
So, from 18 to 80 and possibly longer, Daniel lived for God. He spoke for God and encouraged his fellow countrymen. God saved Daniel. God was glorified because King Darius made a new decree declaring Daniel's God as the true God.
Now what about you and me? Do folks know we put God first in everything we do? Have we made the same commitment to serve Him all our life like Daniel did?
We should always remain steadfast and immovable, continuing to abound in the
work of the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:58)
“Let
us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who
promised is faithful,” (Hebrews 10:23).
Christ above all things - Robin
