The Joy of Forgiveness Stand Firm in the Lord

Daniel was captured during a war and taken to Babylon. The Lord gave grace to Daniel and his friends before king Nebuchadnezzar and they served at the palace (Daniel 1:5-19).

The king set up a statue to be worshipped at a certain time. Daniel’s friends were accused of not obeying this command and had to face the danger of losing their lives. They knew the value of their faith and told the king, “We will not worship the statue, for our God is greater than all things” (Daniel 3:8-18). They stood firm in their faith, and the Lord visited them in the fire (verses 23-25) to the amazement of the king. People will plan against you whatever the life you lead, but remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is with you - only have faith and stand firm. Such things happened to our Master, as well as to the disciples and the apostles.

Some people will concoct evil and damaging stories about you for their own selfish ends, or out of sheer jealousy. But the Lord will put their plans to shame. The Lord laughs at the meeting of your enemies (Psalm 2:1-4).

In the reign of king Darius, Daniel again gained favour in the eyes of the king until enemies started working. The enemy may be near you in a family or working with you. The Bible says regarding Daniel, that “They found no fault with him” “Then the president 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” (Dan6:4-5).

They found fault through his faith. So he was thrown into the den of hungry lions - but the Lord closed their mouths (Daniel 6:13-22). Daniel stood firm in his faith and survived this threat to his life. He then prospered under the reign of two kings (verse 28). Are you facing similar problems? The Lord has put His angels in charge of you (Psalm 91:1-16) and will encourage us all in our walk in the Lord, if only we hold fast to our faith; and He will lay a table for you before your enemies (Psalm 23). “For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death” (Psalm 48:14). So brethren and sisters, let us all stand firm and the Lord will give us victory.

Bro. Joseph Oppong (Shama, Ghana)