Faced With Changing Rules!

When interacting with others in a game, when rules change, what do we do? Get fed up and quit? Decide we'll play by our own rules anyway? Cry foul? Ask whose idea it was to change the rules and why? Give in? What do we do when that is what we see taking place in real life?

There are those who continue to want to label things other than what they are. This is nothing new, for in Isaiah we read . . .

"(20) Woe to those who call EVIL GOOD and GOOD EVIL, who put DARKNESS FOR LIGHT and LIGHT FOR DARKNESS, who put BITTER FOR SWEET and SWEET FOR BITTER!" ( Isaiah 5:20 ESV)

The world also wants us to follow its changing rules and shifting values while it tells us not to try to bind our Christian values on it. Some are even deceived into thinking going along with the world will help reach the world. When society's rules change do we give up doing what God desires us to do?

Consider Daniel's character when faced with a decree contrary to his relationship with God. The decree King Darius the Mede was talked into signing made it punishable -- by death in a den of lion -- for anyone who made a petition to any god or man for thirty days, other than to the king. ( Daniel 6:6-7) How did Daniel respond?

We read . . .
"(10) 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)

In spite of the rule and even the threat to his life, Daniel did not cease his regular petitions and PRAYERS to God. Perhaps some might have thought, "Well, it is only for thirty days. I can give in that long." Not Daniel! Nothing was going to stand between Him and His PRAYER LIFE with God.

Is this not how we should also be? After all, what is most needed when such is going on in this world? When things in the world change, PRAY! When the world is going another direction, PRAY! When we are told that our faith is useless, PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

Why PRAY? First of all, because it continues to reveal where our focus is most centered in life and our heart continues to be turned toward God. Secondly, though God is not being acknowledged by the world, the world is very much in need of our PRAYERS. (i.e. 1 Timothy 2:1-4) May our daily life be marked by the same kind of faith and faithfulness displayed in the life of God's servant Daniel. If ever there was a need for PRAYER, that time continues now!

Have a great day DARING TO BE A DANIEL (OR DANIELETTE)!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Prayer