Our Family Time with God

Oct. 17, 2009

THE DIFFERENCE

HE MAKES

Scripture Reading: Psalm 139:11-12

"If I say, Surely the darkness shall covcr me;

even the night shall be light about me.

Yeah, the darkness hideth not from thee;

but the night shineth as the day:

the darkness and the light

are both alike to thee."

Daniel in the lions' den ( found in Daniel 6 ) is a familiar, yet fascinating story. In terms of his public life and service, Daniel's political enemies could find nothing by which to accuse him. They managed to get a new law on the books that said no one could pray to anyone but the king of the land. Ever faithful to his God, Daniel continued to pray regularly despite the new law. His commitment landed him in the lions' den, and God allowed His man to be placed in the darkness of the den. An interesting fact, as noted in Daniel 6:17, is that Daniel was thrown into a pit that was sealed by a stone. Daniel was literally in darkness.

The king had grown to respect Daniel and to appreciate his service. After Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, the Scriptures tell us that the king went back to his palace and spent a sleepless night ( v. 18 ). Here sat the king of the land in his palace, yet he was to upset to sleep. By contrast, Daniel sat in a dark pit, surrounded by hungry lions; and he was perfectly fine!

What made the difference, of course, was the awareness of God's presence. No wonder the psalmist exclaimed, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me" ( Ps. 139:11b ). God did not spare Daniel from the lions' den or from the darkness of the situation. Yet God, by His presence, can bring light into any situation

SELAH: Recall a time when a family member experienced the peace of God's presence in a difficult situation. Thank God for His ever-present reality!

--T.P. Johnston, Jr.