22 May 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-
On 15 of May, Datuk Kenny Ng—a lawyer specializing in civil litigation, commercial, and corporate matters—shared in FGB Damansara Utama about how Christians should accept persecution as part of their faith.
Like what Peter said in the Bible, we should not be surprised of the fiery ordeal, as though something strange was happening. (1 Pet 4:12)
But if we are insulted because of the name of Christ, we are blessed for the Spirit of glory and of God rest on us. (1 Pet 4:14)
Since persecution is here to stay, Datuk Kenny shared 7 WAYS of responding to persecution like Daniel (Dan 6):
Be Faithful in your Work
Be so good in your job that no one can accuse you of anything, except for your faith in God.
At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. (v 4)
Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” (v 5)
Be courageous in God
Do not fear persecution but be courageous in Him. Remember that Your Father in Heaven is the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)
Hence, be courageous like Daniel. Although he knew the consequence of worshiping God, he was not afraid to show his allegiance to Him.
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (v 7; 9 – 10)
Pray to God when Facing Persecution
God knows what you are going through. Pray to God when you face persecution because we have an answering-prayer God!
Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. (v 11)
Trust God and He will Bring you Through
Because Daniel trusted God, he was saved from the mouth of the lion. Likewise, if we trust God, we will be saved from the fire of persecution as well.
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. (v 23)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deut 31:6)
Show Faith in God because this Glorifies His Name
When we display faith in our God during persecution, others would see that and have faith in the God we believe in as well.
King Darius’ heart was so moved by Daniel’s faith to God that he pledged Daniel’s life into the hands of the God Daniel believed in.
So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (v 16)
Expect God to Serve Justice in His Time
God is our justice seeker. We can expect justice to be served in its due course. For Daniel, we can see how the accusers experienced the same punishment they set Daniel up for in the end.
At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. (v 24)
Persecution ultimately Leads to Victory upon Our Faithfulness
From the lion’s mouth, Daniel was not only saved but he continued serving in the reign of King Darius and the reign of Cyrus, the Persian (v 28).
Also, not only King Darius turned the malicious decree to Daniel’s accusers, King Darius made a decree that everyone under his reign should not worship any god but the Living God that Daniel worshipped!
Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth:
“May you prosper greatly!
“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”(v 25 – 27)
Indeed, ‘blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.’ (James 1:12)
Note: Datuk Kenny Ng Bee Ken is a managing partner of a law firm. He is married with two daughters and one son. And he is currently serving as an elder in Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church.
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