Daniel
6
For
those who were in worship with us this past Sunday, all I can say is, “Wow!”
Our children really stepped up as they led our worship service. Besides all of
those who helped in service leadership and music, Anna and Julian shared from
their hearts how God had been there for them just as God was there for Daniel
when he was thrown into the lions’ den.
“Daniel
in the Lions’ Den” is one of those stories that we often tell our children, a
story we too often associate with Bible School or children’s Sunday School.
However, God has a profound truth for all of us in this story. Daniel serves as
an example for us. Daniel refuses to allow anything—even the threat of death—to
keep him from his discipline of prayer. How easily are we swayed from our
practice of spiritual disciplines?
When
we join the United Methodist Church, we take our “church vows”: to pray, to be
present, to give, to serve, and to tell our story of faith. We call them vows,
but really these are spiritual disciplines—things we do that bring us closer to
God, closer to one another, and closer to becoming who God wants us to be. How
do we measure up beside Daniel in maintaining our disciplines?
Prayer?
“I don’t have time today.” Too often, it an occasional ‘emergency parachute’ for
difficult times. For Daniel, he would not begin his day without it—no matter
the cost.
Presence?
“If it’s convenient…” is some people’s attitude too often. We forget Christians
around the world dream of the freedom to gather. We forget that men and women who
have to work on Sundays long to be in worship this morning.
Giving?
The evil one whispers, “You might not have enough. Wait! Don’t give yet—let’s
see how things go.” But God promises to bless those who “bring the tithe” into
the storehouse.
Serving—Using
our Talents? “Hey…you show up…isn’t that enough?” Too many are reluctant to
commit. Yet, God gives us talents and gifts that we might serve Him and others.
Story—Telling
Others of God’s Love and Grace? Well, if we’re not doing the first four, we
probably won’t have many stories of God’s love and grace. If the only story we
have is the story of our coming to faith, then we’ve never grown out of being
spiritual babies. We were “born again” as Jesus calls it in John 3, but we’re
still in diapers. When we pray, show up, give, and serve, we gather story upon
story of God’s love and grace and provision.
Daniel
is for us an example of holding to the disciplines of faith no matter the cost.
Daniel knew putting God first meant everything else in his life fell into
order.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
“Discipline of Daniel”
Watch/Listen: HERE
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