Scripture to Read: Daniel 6:6–9
God tells us in 1 Peter 4:12–16, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. 14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; 16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” The reason God warns us is because He knows this world is going to hate us for loving Him. Jesus said the same thing in John 15:18–19, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” So, as we read Daniel 6:6–9, we see how all of the commissioners and satraps came to Darius the king to make a law that no one could pray to any god except him for thirty days. These evil leaders knew Daniel prayed daily and they counted on him to continue doing the same.
Challenge & Application
• Why should we not be surprised when we face tests and trials in this life, and what should we do when they come?
• Why does this lost world hate Christians so much, and what must we do as Christians to seek to reach those who are still lost in their sin?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!