Witness, Your Faith
Book of Daniel
“Then he continued, ‘Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” –Daniel 10:12
The name Daniel has always been on my mind.
When I was thirteen, we had to take care of an egg (like a child) and I named it Daniel.
I don’t know where the obsession with the name came from.
Not obsession, just a strong liking.
I mean, I had a cousin named Daniel—but we called him Danny.
Still didn’t know Danny was nickname for Daniel, though.
Either way.
I opened the book to Daniel today and I will say honestly.
I have been asking God why He has been sending things my way that don’t make sense or dreams that seem almost too real to dismiss.
Not like apocalyptic but just dreams of people I used to know.
Don’t count me crazy yet.
But I might be on my way to more delusion than I think.
Either way.
The book of Daniel is about a testament of fate.
As all of most books are.
The line, “Do not be afraid” Is not in there more than any purposely.
It takes a lot of faith to do the LORD’s work.
It’s why most people pull back.
Most people cower and shrink themselves.
For the sake of being accepted by the world and loved.
No one wants to be alone.
No one wants to be shamed.
No one wants to be tested or thrown into the Lion’s den because they keep their faith.
But I hope you know, no matter how hard you try, with God on your side—though you will be afraid—You will be protected and safe.
If I learned anything from this book, it’s this.
Daniel was gifted with this ability to read and interpret dreams.
He even had visions and saw things no one could understand.
He had to live with the truth—the knowing.
His heart heavy—but he kept his faith.
It won’t always be easy to keep the faith.
But it’s worth it.
The lions did not eat him.
The three wise men did not perish in the furnace.
For the fourth figure they saw was keeping them safe.
They all came out unphased.
Untouched.
Because of their faith.
It’s dangerous to want the love of others aside from God.
To run to them instead of Him.
In the end, humans are flawed.
We are no better than one another.
Because even if you don’t pronounce your faith publicly—you still might be thrown into that lions den for other reasons.
So why hide it?
Why try?
God… God knows.
He knows this is who we are and he loves us anyways.
The moment you come before Him and finally expose your faith—people will turn you away and be angry.
Let them.
I know it’s hard to do that.
But have faith.
It is all for the best and you will find your peace.
Your people.
Your own kind of blessings.
The understanding that you seek.
Because I know each day—I too fear but less and less and that there…
Is why I’m scared.
Because with God I’m not the person who was always scared to be who I am meant to be.
With Him… I laugh at each day…
And that’s scary.
Daniel kept his faith and came out unscathed.
So, too, will you and I.
Just…
Keep the faith.
Keep the faith.
Keep the faith.
