You will laugh at destruction and famine, and need not fear the wild animals. —Job 5:22 

Did you watch The Bible Series on the History Channel? We did and we really enjoyed it.

One scene we saw was Daniel in the lion’s den. Daniel was put there because he refused to obey the king’s edict not to pray to anyone but the king of Persia. He was caught in the trap laid by jealous administrators: they couldn’t find any fleshly corruption in him, so they had to find a way to catch him in his faith. They did – right in the middle of one of his three-time daily prayers to Jehovah.

And because the king had issued the law, it couldn’t be changed, so Daniel was thrown in with the hungry beasts.

Because Daniel was faithful to the Lord, however, he was kept from harm. This is how it reads in Daniel 6:23:

And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Now, I don’t know if Daniel started off scared and then a spirit of peace overwhelmed him. I tend to think I would be scared out of my mind if I was sealed in a pit with hungry lions whose purpose was to eat people.

When I think about it, though, I shouldn’t fear just in an extreme circumstance like this. I have reason to be fearful every day. There are forces in this world that seek to destroy me – as Jesus said in John 10:10, they come to kill me. They have a million chances each day to do so.

Yet, I don’t walk around in a state of fear for my safety. I don’t fear what is coming tomorrow – whether it is destruction, famine, wild beasts, ruin or physical injury. I don’t fear what can happen to my children and I don’t wonder if I’m going to end up a widow. I know there is an end for all of us, but I don’t worry about when it will come or how it will happen.

I am secure in the Lord. That is all there is to it.

Those times when I am not so secure, I pray. I ask for the Lord’s help and because He is living in me, I know I am heard.

I know there is power beyond measure going before me. I know indescribable grace stands beside me. And I know the Hand that created the universe covers my tracks. This is what the Apostle Paul called,

Christ in You – the hope of glory.

Our verse in Job is just another way of saying that the Lord is with us – all the time. 24x7x365 He is Immanuel. He doesn’t sleep, He is continually watching over those who call upon His name, ready to make their circumstances work for His glory and our good – just like He did for Daniel.

This world is a fear-filled place with a thousand reasons to be anxious, but when you are one with Christ, you can let go of that fear. You can go about your day knowing He is sovereign so you are secure.

It’s not arrogance; it is the confidence that comes from the peace of God reigning in our hearts and minds. We are loved and cared for by the Infinite One in whom all things are possible. There is no longer any reason to fear what this world can do to us.

Ask God to show you the security found only in Him, so you don’t have to live in fear.

Holy Father – The things of this world catch up to me. I start to choke on the fear of what could happen. I find myself lacking the confidence to believe in Your power over my life. Help me, Lord, to know without a doubt that because I believe in Your Son, there is only room for hope. No matter what happens to me or my loved ones today, let me go forth in the power of Your Holy Spirit, Who is guarding me. Help me to set down my fear at the foot of Your Cross and never pick it back up again. In Jesus’ Name Alone, Amen.

 

Further Reading: Daniel 6, Psalm 121, Colossians 1:27