DEVOTION / Hope from Daniel

Under a Watchful Eye

Life in China is definitely life under the ever-monitoring eyes of the authorities. Facial recognition is used to keep track of citizens and their activities across the country. It is no surprise to our Christian brothers and sisters that the government is watching their every move.

Hope from the Book of Daniel

The Old Testament hero Daniel and his friends knew firsthand what it was like to have their entire lives monitored by government leaders. They had paid a high price for the sins of their own people. Despite staying faithful to God, they had been dragged into exile. As young men, even their diet was regulated. As the Lord positioned Daniel and his friends for the work he had prepared for them, both the government and the people around them were on watch. They hope to find them violating the laws of the land.

Life-threatening dangers

Remaining faithful to the Lord put Daniel and his friends on a collision course with the authorities. We look up to these heroes of faith. Through it all, they lived as servants of the Lord. While blessed in many ways, he did not exempt them from harsh treatment. They faced...

• bitter criticism

• the angry fury of the highest leader in the land

• house arrest

• imprisonment

• death sentences

Faithful through life

Lions' dens or superheated furnaces may seem like times of old. Still, we need to understand that our Christian friends in China today can face harsh persecution for Christian activity. An activity as easily taken for granted as gathering for worship may be seen as subversive. Despite the threats, these brave believers continue to live for Jesus and make daily sacrifices to spread the gospel.

Consider the amazing words of these familiar accounts in Daniel.

• Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:16-18).

• Daniel answered, “May the king live forever "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight”. (Daniel 6:22).

Prayer thought

Lord of the Church, through the ages, your faithful followers have faced persecutions of all kinds. You have sustained and protected them. We pray for the suffering saints around the world. Be near them. Sustain and encourage them. Bless the spread of the gospel. Amen.

Source: David Payne