NOT FOR A MINUTE

NOT FOR A MINUTE

Water dripped from the masoned walls and pooled in the middle of the dungeon. Sounds echoed about so that one could not discern its direction. The stench of carcass remains lingered in the damp air. Although something brushed against his foot, he did not wince; he was resolute in meditation. By now he knew not to wonder why, or to give into the deception that lies in the darkness. Instead, he reflected on a time when he first learned how to dwell in a secret place.

As a young boy, he was aware of his position and destiny. His parents made certain of it. He was knowledgeable, gifted in wisdom, and well versed in the law and he knew the severity of breaking it. Many times, he had witnessed the punishment for young men about his age who did not follow it. Yet, in all his learning of God’s wrath, he found faithfulness, pleasure, and protection in His ways. Good-looking and quick-witted, he was a born leader, drawing the attention of impressionable boys. He delighted in the psalms and was intrigued by the prophet's foretelling of Israel’s demise. Still, he believed his future looked promising for he was destined to be an elite.

“Daniel?” the fear-filled voice cried out. “Are you here, Daniel?”

Daniel’s eyes tried to adjust once again in the sheer darkness and the unsettled dust.

“I am here.” He declared.

He heard muffled voices and chains dragging stirring up the dust yet again. Soon a hand laid hold of him causing him to pull away in defense until he heard the snickering of his friends Hanania, Mishael, and Azariah.

“What is to become of us, Daniel?” Their plea for comfort burned in Daniel’s heart.

“Where do you suppose we will end up?”

“Well, I overheard whispers in the Chaldean tongue. The only word I recognized is Babylon.”

Even in the darkness, Daniel perceived their hearts filling with fear. He encouraged them and they sang psalms together to fill the long hours of the night and to brighten whatever cave they were placed.

As his friends drifted off to sleep, Daniel quieted his own spirit repeating Psalms 118:6 “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” “The Lord is on my side; I will not fear, What can man do to me?”

Although questions filled his mind about his future now, he dared not question the Lord. He would not allow himself to indulge in pity. He set his mind to learn the ways of God through uncertainty and follow what he knew of God’s faithfulness.

The arduous journey from Jerusalem to Babylon paled in light of current challenges. Placed in the warmth of the palace, Daniel sought all the more to pray. He witnessed one by one as his friends knelt before the king and pledged to give into the “new” normal.

Behind the walls of ivory and gold, Daniel began to understand the proverbs warning against fleeting beauty. When walking beyond the protection of the palace, Daniel’s eyes traced the crowds of his people enslaved and laboring, hoping to see a familiar face. Instead sneering looks and taunting whispers about being “Privileged!” or “fortunate!”

However, he was resolved to not turn from God’s ways. He perceived the deception of the enemy that when everything looks as though it is good and peaceful, it is a ploy to take your eyes off of God’s ways. He knew he was being groomed to lead and deceive others to follow Babylonian ways.

Lost in volumes of the epidemiology of conquests, Hanania’s note dropped directly in front of Daniel, suspending his attention. Looking up, he saw the urgency in the messenger's face as he rushed by. Unraveling the paper he quickly read, “furnace bound.” And destroyed its evidence.

Daniel could hear Nebuchadnezzar’s voice bellowing through the corridor. As he peered into the court, he witnessed his three friends declare God’s authority and goodness. He was encouraged when he heard them declare: “But even if He does not, we will not bow.”

The King’s red face deepened, spittle and sweat shook from his chin as he fiercely ordered the heat of the furnace be turned up seven times more than normal. With his finger pointed, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the men from his army to bind Hanania, Mishael, and Azariah hand and foot.

A crowd of governors, counselors, officials of the provinces gathered around to watch. With shock and horror, the crowd gasped as the strong men were killed due to the high flames of the fire, but Hanania, Mishael, and Azariah were not burned. They began singing and marching around inside the furnace.

Nebuchadnezzar was astonished saying, “Look!” (Daniel 3:25) “I see four men lose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the son of God.”

Daniel’s old eyes squinted to see as clearly as possible. He found a dry spot along the wall to lean against. He closed his eyes again and his heart began to sing songs of gratitude when he remembered the joy of his friend’s faces as they were greeted by the king with humility before their God.

Daniel recalled the praises coming from Nebuchadnezzar himself. It is amazing when one sees God’s faithfulness. Daniel noted the miracles that abounded. Just then a rumbling roar from within the cell shook pebbles from the walls. Daniel did not shift, he lifted up his voice all the more.

King Darius lay in bed late that night looking up at the ceiling. He could hardly ignore the obvious scheming of his governors and satraps. He finally pieced together that they were behind the whole sabotage of his friend Daniel. The King’s heart burned within him for fear of Daniel’s end. Long waiting to hear the lark, he jumped out of bed and merely dressed to run and see if Daniel’s God delivered him.

Slowly the sealed stone was separated and opened. Searching into the deep, dark cell, Darius longed to see the man that continually stood for truth, honor, and God’s faithfulness. Part fear, part surges of hope rushed through him as looked into the den. Just when his heart fluttered with fear he heard a soft song rising up.

I believe he sang words close to these words:

"Not for a minute

Was I forsaken

The Lord is in this place

The Lord is in this place

Come Holy Spirit

Dry bones awaken

The Lord is in this place

The Lord is in this place"

You may feel you have a certain destiny and it is true; however, there is a greater call to all of us. That is to pierce the darkest of places in our lives with the hope and love of Jesus. We are never forsaken, there is no darkness that He cannot fill with the light of His love and grace.

Citation/References

“Here Again” Elevation Worship, Album Hallelujah Here Below

songwriters: Chris Brown / Steven Furtick / AMY MOODY CORBETT

Here Again, lyrics © Be Essential Songs. Retrieved 12/31/2020 from: https://www.christian-songlyrics.net/.../here-again...

All biblical references are taken from the New King James Version of the book of Daniel Chapter 1, 2 and 3; This story is an interpretation. This is not a translation please refer to your bible for factual information regarding the story of Daniel. 

God is NOT Dead

Four years ago I began a journey like no other with God. I brought all that I was, all that I had hoped to be and all I ever wanted into complete submission to His dream for my life. I was in the middle a worship seminar when the Holy Spirit spoke to me with a clear voice, "I want you to go to school." And before I could object He said, "Don't worry about how much it will cost, what you will do with your small boys, or how you will have time. I have your days in my hand. I want you to go to school."
At the time, I had no idea what He had in store for my life. I had zero confidence in my ability and very little faith that I was good at anything. A few months later I was enrolled in one class and doors began flying open. Scholarships came easily along with a direction for a major. As I am headed into my Senior year, I can look back and see how God has healed my mind, my emotions and guided my feeble feet on stable ground.
This year has been the most profound of all years. It was during a class assignment that I discovered an entire apartment complex full of refugees. I want you to know that a refugee is not an illegal alien. A refugee by definition is one who has been displaced from their homeland due to persecution, which includes torture and abuse. They are cheated by their government and often driven from their homes at gunpoint. Some refugees are displaced due to natural disasters, but when they arrive in nearby countries they are not warmly welcomed, they then suffer malnutrition and are left to perish. The process of becoming a refugee is gruling and can take up to 10 years to be approved by the United Nations.
When I first arrived to my assignment I did not know what to expect. My group assisted a national agency in welcoming 3 new arrivals. The families came from Burma. As I was bringing items in and out of the apartment the Holy Spirit grabbed me by the collar of my shirt and said, "I have brought the mission field to you." I became so excitted I could hardly contain myself.
Many questions filled my head, "How, when and WOW!" The Lord showed me then that all the years of schooling was for this moment, for this purpose. That He would provide direction just as easily as He did the first moment He told me to go to school.
I want my brothers and sisters in Christ to know today, that we serve a Living God. He is not deaf nor does He slummber. If you have been waiting for a miracle I know He is faithful to do what He has promised to do and He will do it when we are obedient to His will.
I have MUCH to share on the adventures I've had in sharing the gospel with many nations. I will be posting the miracles and the wonders of His love in these notes. My hope is that you, my friends will be inspired to follow Christ like never before, give to Him everything you are, and share His truths to a lost and dying world. We may only have a short time, don't waste another minute being busy with your life, be busy giving His!!!!
Lovingly,
Katrina Ward

Mark 16:15-16 (King James Version)

15"And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..."