When The Odds Are Stacked Against You

This past week one of our morning devotions was based out of Daniel 6-the passage where Daniel is thrown into the lion's den. Upon reading through this passage, I was so convicted of how easily I allow fear to creep in when I feel as if the odds are being stacked against me. These are the times in which we should be rejoicing because God is setting up to do His thing. He is setting the stage for His glory to be revealed in mighty ways. Throughout this passage, it is very clear that the odds were stacked against Daniel. Kind Darius issued a law that stated that if anyone prayed to any other god but himself, that person would be thrown into the lion's den. Daniel, of course, being the the faithful servant of God that he was,still did as he had always done and continued to pray to God three times a day. I have to stop and think at this point if I would even do that. Even without persecution we sometimes don't have that devotion and endurance. If you're familiar with the story, you know that Daniel was caught in this act and thrown into the lion's den. This is the part of the passage that really came to life to me this past week. In vs. 17 it says that "A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel." God's word, being as intentional as it is, shows that every effort was made so that Daniel could not be rescued by human strength. The odds were stacked against him. God was setting the stage for His glory to be revealed. How often do we, in our human nature, get frustrated with God because we feel like He's "setting things against us" just to get to us, or to "punish" us? What we really need to focus on is the miracle, or rescue, that is most likely coming after. It's less about finding "happiness" for ourselves and more about realizing that God's ways are not our ways and that His timing is perfect. For some reason it can be so easy to trust Him with eternity, but so difficult to trust Him with our tomorrow. Isaiah 40:31 ("But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.") has been brought to mind a lot this week as I seek God's peace in this area. At the end of the passage when Daniel is thrown into the den, vs. 22 states that not only did God protect Daniel from death, but He completely shut the lions' mouths and didn't even allow a scratch on Daniel. What an awesome, powerful, faithful God! It can be so terrifying to trust that what the Lord is doing is good and take the step of faith, but He is so faithful and we can't put Him in a box. The greater the odds, the more His glory can shine through. It's up to us to walk in obedience and allow that glory to be revealed. So whether it be in a financial situation, a life decision, or a certain need, I pray that you'll be able to trust in God and His character. My personal prayer this week has been Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." The God who rescued Daniel from the mouths of those lions is still the same God today and He's always working in and around us. We just need to step out in faith when He calls so that His glory can shine through our lives.