Testimony Tuesday: Dare to Be Daniel

 

Dare to Be a Daniel

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭

I attended an event this past week hosted by my state's Department of Education. This event honored the top 30+ educators in our state and introduced our state's 2025 Teacher of the Year. Educators came with family, friends, and colleagues to support those being recognized. During the evening, I was given many plaques, proclamations, and some tickets to sports events. However, I was also given a special figure of a teacher praying, and the inscription included Psalm 17:6: "I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer."

What struck me most was what was written beside my name: "Dare to be a Daniel." Daniel was young when he was taken captive to Babylon. He and his friends were given Babylonian names that honored false gods, stripping them of their names that worshipped and honored the one true God. I think about how Daniel and his four friends were taken to the palace to be indoctrinated into honoring the customs of Babylonian culture, but instead, they stood their ground and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and according to His law. It makes me consider how often our students may feel like Daniel in the culture they are now living in, where the Bible and its teachings are frowned upon by society. In John 7:7, Jesus tells the unbelievers, “The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.”

Returning to the book of Daniel, Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael chose to refuse the command to worship a golden image made by the king, and their faith followed them even into the fire. Daniel did not change his prayer habits after a law was enacted, and his faith accompanied him into the lion's den, even in his old age. Over 15 years ago, I completed my first study on the book of Daniel, and I saw then how many parallels there are between Babylon and the culture we live in today.

Do you choose to be a Daniel at your school? An educator grounded in the Word and prayer? An educator that Christian families and students can rely on? The Bible and the ministry of songs are often my best encouragement throughout the day, and I must say “Almost Home” by MercyMe has resonated with me. Our final destination is heaven with our Lord and Savior. It won’t be long, and once we are there, our burdens will be gone.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in Your Word, it says our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭20‬-‭21‬. Holy Spirit, give us the strength and courage to be Daniels in our schools and a light in the darkness. May we stand firm in our faith as we face the fire and the lions. In Jesus' name, Amen.