Serving God in a Hostile Environment. The Example of Daniel and His FriendsSample

Daniel’s response to a dangerous situation

The lives of Daniel and his friends are in danger. King Nebuchadnezzar has had dreams, and now he wants his magicians and wise men to tell him both his dream and its interpretation. The wise men are desperate about the king’s request: “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king's demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” But the king is furious about their inability to tell him his dream, and orders that they should all be killed.

Since Daniel and his friends are also considered “wise men”, they too are sought to be killed. Daniel asks the king’s captain to delay their execution and to give him a chance to answer the king’s question. But he knows he can’t do that on his own. His most important ‘strategy’ therefore is to inform his friends and to all start praying. Only God can help in such situations! Just as David prayed in a similarly dangerous situation:

“O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge;

    save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,

lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,

    rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.” (Psalm 7:1-2, ESV)

If you are in danger or face difficulties you can’t solve yourself, how do you respond?