Giving Thanks in Faith
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Daniel 6:5 “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
We are prone to give thanks at the moment of blessing. It really doesn’t take faith to give thanks in the moment of blessing, but it certainly requires faith to be thankful when the outcome has yet to be revealed. For example, how about a newlywed husband sitting down for the first Thanksgiving meal and giving thanks for a turkey that he hopes will be edible.
In the late 1800’s, George Müller operated an orphanage that at one time had 1000 orphans. His workers warned him one evening that they had no food for the morning meal the next day. The next morning, he called all the children and staff to the dining table. They prayed and thanked God for the provision of food, even though there was no food. A few moments later a man knocked on the door. He was a driver of a bakery wagon, and while taking bread to the market, his wagon broke down. He said, “This bread will spoil if it is not eaten. Would you want any of this bread?” George Müller gave thanks, even when it took faith to give thanks.
Here we see Daniel giving thanks in the midst of opposition. Daniel was a young and godly Jew who lived in Babylon during the time of captivity. Throughout his life he had lived with integrity. Now in his eighties, he is still facing opposition. The Persians were now ruling in Babylon. Daniel 6:4-5 says, “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
You see, Daniel’s faith had made him a target. Anytime you take a firm stand, as Daniel had all of his life, you will face opposition. The Persians resented Daniel for his godliness and Daniel 6:7 says, “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.”
However, notice what Daniel did. Daniel 6:10 says, “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.” In the face of a death sentence, Daniel kneels toward Jerusalem, and offers thanks to the Lord. Notice, “When he knew the decree had been signed”, he then prayed courageously.
Sure enough, Daniel faced the lions’ den. But what was the result of Daniel’s faith? Daniel 6:22 says, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Friend, you may be facing a trial and wondering how the Lord will deliver you. Just go ahead and give thanks in faith that God has a bigger plan than we can see and He will bless your faith.
By Dr. Paul Chappell
(Lancaster Baptist Church - California)
Daniel 6:5 “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
We are prone to give thanks at the moment of blessing. It really doesn’t take faith to give thanks in the moment of blessing, but it certainly requires faith to be thankful when the outcome has yet to be revealed. For example, how about a newlywed husband sitting down for the first Thanksgiving meal and giving thanks for a turkey that he hopes will be edible.
In the late 1800’s, George Müller operated an orphanage that at one time had 1000 orphans. His workers warned him one evening that they had no food for the morning meal the next day. The next morning, he called all the children and staff to the dining table. They prayed and thanked God for the provision of food, even though there was no food. A few moments later a man knocked on the door. He was a driver of a bakery wagon, and while taking bread to the market, his wagon broke down. He said, “This bread will spoil if it is not eaten. Would you want any of this bread?” George Müller gave thanks, even when it took faith to give thanks.
Here we see Daniel giving thanks in the midst of opposition. Daniel was a young and godly Jew who lived in Babylon during the time of captivity. Throughout his life he had lived with integrity. Now in his eighties, he is still facing opposition. The Persians were now ruling in Babylon. Daniel 6:4-5 says, “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
You see, Daniel’s faith had made him a target. Anytime you take a firm stand, as Daniel had all of his life, you will face opposition. The Persians resented Daniel for his godliness and Daniel 6:7 says, “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.”
However, notice what Daniel did. Daniel 6:10 says, “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.” In the face of a death sentence, Daniel kneels toward Jerusalem, and offers thanks to the Lord. Notice, “When he knew the decree had been signed”, he then prayed courageously.
Sure enough, Daniel faced the lions’ den. But what was the result of Daniel’s faith? Daniel 6:22 says, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Friend, you may be facing a trial and wondering how the Lord will deliver you. Just go ahead and give thanks in faith that God has a bigger plan than we can see and He will bless your faith.
By Dr. Paul Chappell
(Lancaster Baptist Church - California)
posted by mS eLoVe | 1:51 PM
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