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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL (don't write about the song) (04/02/15)
Gentle Man of Ancient Times

April 9, 2015

Monday came. He was not in the least anxious or apprehensive. Sentenced to a cruel death unjustly, he held his head high and faced his fate courageously. Looking straight ahead, the eighty year old walked down the long, cold corridor with complete peace, his footsteps echoing on the stone floor.

Fear, he had none. He had always believed his destiny was in God’s hands. The evidence of faith is rest, and he expressed both faith and commitment. They could kill his body, but he was rich in soul, and all was well. His words were few and simple. The guards leading him were astonished at his fearlessness. There was not a single moment of anger, a single abusive word, a single offensive phrase uttered.

How does a righteous man arrive at such a place? This gentle man of ancient times had been in captivity since his early teens. He had never once been tempted to abandon his beliefs. Truth does not diminish with time. Now, this aged saint had been falsely accused by his enemies because of their jealousy and his commitment to his faith and lack of compromise. In the weeks preceding, he had unabashedly thrust his windows open and prayed three times a day. His crime was praying to the one, true God and not paying homage to a prideful, self loving king. This king had thought so highly of Daniel and his exceptional qualities that he had planned to appoint him as administrator over his whole kingdom. He had been deceived by his advisers into issuing a decree that no one could pray to any other god or human besides him or be thrown into the lion’s den. Although regretful, he would not stand up for Daniel and renounce the decree, but he did say to him, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” (Daniel 6:16)

Cast into the dim den of fierce lions, he calmly knelt and said, “Dear God, I give You thanks for eighty years of life.” The beasts, which are less tolerant of man than any other, lay down and made no attempts to harm Daniel. God had literally shut their mouths. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lion’s den. He called, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever.” (Daniel 6:20, 21) At the king’s command, Daniel’s accusers were cast into the den of lions and immediately devoured. God had the last word! He had rescued Daniel from the power of false accusations and lions. Faith always wins God’s approval.

God does the same thing today. Your enemy, Satan, falsely accuses you, and you face circumstances which appear as fierce as lions. You fear you will be devoured. If you serve the living God, stand firm like Daniel, recall God’s faithfulness and know that in life or death, all will be well.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8)
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This article has been read 739 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Joanne Sher 
04/13/15
This was very well written - I was completely engaged. What a great example Daniel is. Thanks for sharing!
C D Swanson 
04/13/15
Excellent! I loved this.

God bless~
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/14/15
This is a powerful story. I'd love to have read even more about this brave man. Though your second part was good too, it needed more of a transition. It almost felt like you had two separate distinct stories. After reading it a couple of times, I discovered the man was Daniel all along. I think I was partially confused by the date at the top. I thought that was the date your story was taking place, not when you wrote it. The date you submit the piece will be included in your profile so you don't need to put it in the body of the story. Once I realized it was Daniel, it flowed much better for me. I could just be slow and perhaps everyone else understood it right away. You did a great job of writing on topic and a nice job of retelling the story.
Toni Babcock 
04/15/15
I absolutely loved this. Two timeless truths popped out as I read: 1) The evidence of faith is rest, and 2)Faith always wins God's approval.
(Trying to win man's approval is man's strategy - no rest there.)
Great ending too, when all is tied together with a spiritual moral.
Lois Lewis
04/16/15
The date at the top threw me too. Once I understood what was going on, I thoroughly enjoyed this. Daniel is such a great example. I'm so glad
God chose to include his stories. Thanks for all your hard work, and best of luck in the Challenge!