The dreaded words from earlier this month – Groundhog’s Day! “6 more weeks of winter!”
I have a really good friend whose daughter and son-in-law are coming back from Mexico this week. They are coming back home to the heartland with 6-8 inches of snow and 5 degree weather…a far cry from Mexico!
You know, the closing weeks of winter are sometimes a lot like our walk with Christ. We see the long process of growth in our life and we are not sure of the outcome, the timing, or even just the God moments which will be coming to us. It can often feel like “6 more weeks – REALLY!?!?!?!?!?”
Daniel in the Bible had to have felt like that. You see, there was a decree issued to no longer pray to any god but King Darius – “REALLY LORD!?!?!?!?” But Daniel stuck his plan. He continued to keep God as his top priority. He chose to keep God as the object of his own personal affection. He prayed and honored God!
Then he paid for it…the Lion’s Den! “Really Lord, another 6 weeks! REALLY?!?!?!?!?!”
After God shut the mouths of the lions and the King saw that there was a God bigger than he, King Darius said the following…
Daniel 6:25-28 “25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you! 26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end. 27 He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
Daniel went from “6 more weeks…REALLY!?!?!?!?!?” to a man that totally prospered under the reign of King Darius! It seems that Daniel’s heart to trust God through the “winter months” is really what helped him get to the long and warm days of spring and summer!
Yes, it’s cold today, but hold on, SPRING & SUMMER are coming. Thank you Lord – it’s really only 4 more weeks!