November 18 - Thankful Despite Persecution.

Daniel 6:10
“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
 
There had been a decree signed by King Darius that prohibited anyone from asking a petition of any God or man except the king for thirty days. 
 
Daniel 6:7
“All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”
 
That meant it was unlawful for Daniel to pray to his God.
If he continued to faithfully pray to God, he would be cast into the den of lions.
 
He had a choice to make. 
 
Would he do what he knew in his heart was right or would he concede to the demands of the government?
 
Daniel 6:11
“Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.”
 
Despite what was now the law of the land, he chose to be faithful to God.
 
He did not even try to hide. 
He prayed with the windows open, unashamed of his faith.
 
There is coming a day, and for some it has already come, that we will be forced to choose who we will obey. 
 
What will we choose when we are threatened with a den of lions?
 
There may not be literal lions waiting for us, but there is a lion who walks about seeking to devour anyone who has placed their faith in Jesus Christ. 
 
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
 
Will we continue to pray?
Will we continue to give thanks to the One Who gives us all things?
 
Acts 4:19
“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
Ezekiel 15-16  |    Psalm 92-94