City Life Starter

Written by Blesson Selvanesan

The Word

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

Daniel 6:10 (ESV)

Interpretation

Daniel was a very high official and people surrounding him conspired against him. When he realized that the crisis has reached a tipping point and he may not have his live the next day, he did something shocking! What did he do? He just went ahead with his regular routine… Fellowship with God. Daniel knew that nothing apart from the will of God will ever happen to God’s elected. He had peace with God and had totally surrendered his life to God with supreme confidence in Him. He wanted God to lead the show and did not want to meddle in God’s plan. He just want to continue his fellowship with God.

Application

Crises is not new to mankind, certainly not for the followers of Christ. Christianity was given birth in a crucible during intense crisis. Many church fathers paid for their faith with their lives. Blood flowed freely, people knew carrying a cross had a meaning and was real. Over the years we have become complacent, comfort seeking arm chair Christians who just want to be fed with comfort food. We settled for rattles and ignored when God brought revival. We did not want to have an intense fellowship with God or to see the crisis in God’s perspective, we rather get tossed around with the perspectives of political pundits of the media. Churches, rather than pointing towards God, fell by the wayside by picking sides on the lines of ethnicity, skin color, profession, politics and policies.

When persecuted, Christians did not take up arms or become activists. They did not start movement or revolution, their political ideologies did not move to the right or to the left. They did not seek refuge within the political system or judicial system. They know well that all things of the world are corrupt, so they sought the incorruptible rock of their salvation…God. Rather than moving to the right or left, they looked up for they knew who has the real power and authority and where to tap for comfort and strength in times of trouble. They came together as one, they prayed together as one, worshipped together as one, looked after one another, served together, and carried each other’s burdens with God as their center. They were not afraid, they did not wilt and they did not become despondent but they stood for God and His Word. Crises shapes a Christian. There is no Christianity without crises!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help us to seek Your council just like Daniel did. Lead me, be my light, salvation and rock. Help me to be one with You and not to be swayed by the currents of the times. In my crisis, help me to seek you and help me to allow you to lead me. Help me to honor You at all times. In Jesus’ name, amen.