Life Principle
We stand tallest and strongest on our knees. (Dan 6:10-11)
We stand tallest and strongest on our knees. (Dan 6:10-11)
Life’s Questions
Following God isn’t easy. The world that persecuted the prophets and crucified Christ often responds negatively to those who are committed to the Lord (see Matt. 5:10–12). Jesus explains the reason: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.... All these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:20–22). When others see God working through you, they will be convicted of their sin, which will make them very uncomfortable. This means that they may lash out at you or try to undermine your testimony.
Have you encountered trouble because you’re a Christian? Have you found it difficult to get along with particular people or in certain situations because you follow God? Then discover the way that the saints before you defended themselves. Life Principle 17 teaches, We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
*** Daniel was of royal birth but was taken captive to Babylon as a young man. He was an impressive individual, and was quickly recruited to serve in the king’s palace (see Dan. 1:3–4), where he was careful to continue honoring and obeying God in every way. He ministered throughout the Babylonian captivity and shortly thereafter (c. 605 BC to 530 BC).
What the Bible Says
Read Daniel 6:1–9. How did Daniel distinguish himself and how did the king reward him for it (3)?
Why do you think the governors and satraps wanted to get rid of Daniel?
What plot did they invent to trap him (4–8)?
Read Daniel 6:10–17. Why did Daniel disobey the decree (10)?
In view of the plot against him, why wasn’t Daniel more secretive about praying to God?
How did the king react to hearing that Daniel had violated the decree (14, 16)?
Read Daniel 6:18–28. How did God honor Daniel’s faithfulness (22)?
What ultimately came from Daniel’s obedience to God (26–28)?
What It Means
The strength of Daniel’s character came from his time alone with God; he remained steadfast because he was consistent in praying to God and obeying His commands. His eyes were not on his foes or on the ravenous lions. He did not worry about pandering to the governors and satraps, or trying to gain political points with the king. Rather, Daniel’s complete attention was on God. He knew that he could not go wrong as long as he was honoring God, because his Lord would defend him.
Life Examples
Read 1 Peter 5:6–11. What is God’s promise to you if you obey Him (6)?
What “lion” do you have to watch out for when you submit yourself to God (8)?
From Daniel’s example and verse 9, what have you learned about fighting the enemy? What will result from your obedience (10–11)?
*** What will your submission to God do? It will perfect you, which means to restore, mend, render complete, and equip. It will establish you, which means to make as solid as granite, make stable, place firmly, and render constant. It will strengthen you, which means to make strong or fill with strength. And it will settle you, which means to lay the foundation of your faith and your future with Christ.
Living the Principle
Being on your knees before God isn’t just a physical stance. It’s an attitude of the heart in which you are seeking God and are willing to submit to His plan for your future. As you spend time with Him in prayer, your relationship with God becomes deeper and more intimate. You feel His power in your life and begin to trust His hand in every situation. Instead of worrying about the “lions” in your path, you increasingly focus on Him and how He is working. This gives you the assurance and boldness to face your troubles, because you’re confident that God’s plan for you will be accomplished.
Prayer is the most powerful thing that you can do. As difficult conflicts arise, the enemy may try to convince you to “tone down” or keep your walk with God a secret. However, God will call you to a deeper walk with Him so that you can experience His provision, grow in your faith, and be a shining example to others.
*** He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. (Dan. 6:26–27)
How will you live out Life Principle 17 this week? You stand tallest and strongest on your knees because that is when you submit yourself to God. Will you commit yourself to Him in prayer? Discuss ways that you can deepen your time alone with the Lord. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Following God isn’t easy. The world that persecuted the prophets and crucified Christ often responds negatively to those who are committed to the Lord (see Matt. 5:10–12). Jesus explains the reason: “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.... All these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15:20–22). When others see God working through you, they will be convicted of their sin, which will make them very uncomfortable. This means that they may lash out at you or try to undermine your testimony.
Have you encountered trouble because you’re a Christian? Have you found it difficult to get along with particular people or in certain situations because you follow God? Then discover the way that the saints before you defended themselves. Life Principle 17 teaches, We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.
*** Daniel was of royal birth but was taken captive to Babylon as a young man. He was an impressive individual, and was quickly recruited to serve in the king’s palace (see Dan. 1:3–4), where he was careful to continue honoring and obeying God in every way. He ministered throughout the Babylonian captivity and shortly thereafter (c. 605 BC to 530 BC).
What the Bible Says
Read Daniel 6:1–9. How did Daniel distinguish himself and how did the king reward him for it (3)?
Why do you think the governors and satraps wanted to get rid of Daniel?
What plot did they invent to trap him (4–8)?
Read Daniel 6:10–17. Why did Daniel disobey the decree (10)?
In view of the plot against him, why wasn’t Daniel more secretive about praying to God?
How did the king react to hearing that Daniel had violated the decree (14, 16)?
Read Daniel 6:18–28. How did God honor Daniel’s faithfulness (22)?
What ultimately came from Daniel’s obedience to God (26–28)?
What It Means
The strength of Daniel’s character came from his time alone with God; he remained steadfast because he was consistent in praying to God and obeying His commands. His eyes were not on his foes or on the ravenous lions. He did not worry about pandering to the governors and satraps, or trying to gain political points with the king. Rather, Daniel’s complete attention was on God. He knew that he could not go wrong as long as he was honoring God, because his Lord would defend him.
Life Examples
Read 1 Peter 5:6–11. What is God’s promise to you if you obey Him (6)?
What “lion” do you have to watch out for when you submit yourself to God (8)?
From Daniel’s example and verse 9, what have you learned about fighting the enemy? What will result from your obedience (10–11)?
*** What will your submission to God do? It will perfect you, which means to restore, mend, render complete, and equip. It will establish you, which means to make as solid as granite, make stable, place firmly, and render constant. It will strengthen you, which means to make strong or fill with strength. And it will settle you, which means to lay the foundation of your faith and your future with Christ.
Living the Principle
Being on your knees before God isn’t just a physical stance. It’s an attitude of the heart in which you are seeking God and are willing to submit to His plan for your future. As you spend time with Him in prayer, your relationship with God becomes deeper and more intimate. You feel His power in your life and begin to trust His hand in every situation. Instead of worrying about the “lions” in your path, you increasingly focus on Him and how He is working. This gives you the assurance and boldness to face your troubles, because you’re confident that God’s plan for you will be accomplished.
Prayer is the most powerful thing that you can do. As difficult conflicts arise, the enemy may try to convince you to “tone down” or keep your walk with God a secret. However, God will call you to a deeper walk with Him so that you can experience His provision, grow in your faith, and be a shining example to others.
*** He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. (Dan. 6:26–27)
How will you live out Life Principle 17 this week? You stand tallest and strongest on your knees because that is when you submit yourself to God. Will you commit yourself to Him in prayer? Discuss ways that you can deepen your time alone with the Lord. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- God is greater than any problem that we could ever face (see 1 John 4:4).
- Whatever we face, we must trust God with it (see 2 Sam. 22:2–4).