"And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Dan. 6:20
Daniel 6:20 gives us a glimpse into the past of this man whom God saved. We see an interesting bit of information that the king knew and a reason he gave for the mercies of God being shown forth. As a matter of fact, the king was so aware of this fact he mentioned it twice: before and after the stone was rolled away! But what was it the king knew? What made him so sure that God would deliver his servant Daniel? The fact is Daniel was not a ‘good-time Christian.' He not only served God in the good times, he worshiped his Creator in all things, and in all times. The Bible records that the king said before they brought the stone that Daniel had done one thing consistently: served God. The king didn't point out how Daniel was the best at his job, he didn't shout that Daniel had fasted when others had feasted! No! He said that he had served his God "continually!"
Today's Christians often see Daniel and think of how he decided to pray that day; but what we fail to realize is that day was no different for him than any other day. That was not a show of rebellion to a new law, Daniel always prayed and when he heard the news he didn't change one bit. He didn't hide in the closet, he opened his window. He didn't pray once and let it end. No, the Bible says he prayed three times a day. Not just now or after he heard the new law, but just as he had done every day before. Even when times grew hard or life got a little hot and even when he was going to face a den of hungry, ravenous lions, he didn't change - Daniel praised God at all times.
Psalmist David was also inclined to pray. He said he would praise the Lord in the morning. In another place, he said he would praise him in the night. Still yet again, David found that twice a day wasn't fulfilling his spirit man, so he tried seven times a day. Nothing seemed to satisfy him! So finally, after praying more and more, David concluded that "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Ps. 34:1)
Serving God is not a ‘once a day' vitamin! When trials come, when winds blow, when we are thrown in the pit that promises nothing but death and destruction, it isn't then that we need to pray for help, that is when we need to be rejoicing. We need to be praying and living for God everyday, all day long. No matter how hard it gets, no matter how rough may be the way, we need to cling to Jesus and never let him go!
The deciples understood the importance of continuing. Consider the "acts of the apostles" after Christ was risen. The Bible says they "were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God." (Luke 24:53). Let us labor to be like this; let us strive to be continual Christians: continually in prayer, continually in praise, and continually serving Jesus Christ our living God. I leave you with the words of Paul: "therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." (Heb. 13:15) |
