When Our Back Is Against The Wall

Since the implementation of curfews and lockdowns, I have been studying the book of Daniel. It’s like I am looking at it with fresh eyes. As I read, I thought about how easily he could have avoided being thrown into the lion’s den. Daniel’s jealous rivals in the government of Babylon laid a trap based on his consistent habit of everyday prayer time to God (Dan. 6:1-9). I totally believe that Daniel was conscious of their conspiracy against him and could have decided to pray privately for a month until things got quiet. But that was not the kind of person he was.

“When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days”

Daniel 9:10 NKJV

Daniel did not panic, nor bargain with God. Instead, he continued “just as he had done before” (Daniel 9:10 NIV). He was not intimidated by the pressure of persecution.

As I continued to read and the story unfolded, I thought about how his situation is similar to some of the daily challenges we face. Most times our consistency in our faith is attacked at all sides. On our jobs and in our homes especially, we are challenged to see how “Christian” we are. What I have realized is that while our relationship with people is often inconsistent, we have confidence that God is consistent.  The psalmist writes:

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.  Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken”

Psalm 62:1-2 NIV

The picture that the psalmist paints is not a picture of a boat tossed around in a storm or a kite flapping around in the winds. Our God is a Rock, He is solid…He is consistently faithful. In a world filled with uncertainty, we can find rest in the certainty of God.  His nature is good, pure, holy, and consistent. 

 Drawing close to God is like standing on an unshakeable rock.  

When we place our trust in God, He becomes a fortress for our soul.  We are less likely to become anxious about the ups and downs of daily life.  The sting is softened when people let us down.  God will not let us down.  In Him, we will not be shaken.

The lesson for me was the power of Daniel’s life of consistent devotion to the Lord. His strength came from God, whom Daniel wanted to please every day. When a crisis came, Daniel didn’t need to change his daily practice to meet it. He simply stayed committed to his God. 

When our back is against the wall…I challenge you to hold onto the solid rock!