The story of Daniel is an incredible one. At the tender age of 15, he was snatched away from his comfortable life as a member of the royal family in Judah. He’s dragged hundreds of miles away from home, castrated in the court of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and sent to a brainwashing school to make him forget everything about his past life, especially his religion.

But something unexpected happened. Instead of immersing himself in the culture of his new community, he chose to take a stand for his faith: “But Daniel made up his mind he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank.” Another translation says, “Daniel purposed in his heart.” He made up his mind and purposed in his heart to be faithful to God. As parents who try to raise our kids in a morally corrupt world, that would be our hope when we send them off to a morally bankrupt university.

The story gets better. That stand, taken as a teenager, served Daniel for many years as he gained influence while serving in government for two pagan nations.

Later in life, when Daniel realized the 70 years of captivity was coming to an end, he began praying for God’s mercy upon his people. This is a guy who was visited twice by the Angel Gabriel and told “you are highly esteemed” (Daniel 9:23). But his prayer is insightful:

“Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly and rebelled, even turning aside from Your commandments and ordinances. Moreover, we have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in your Name to our kings, our princes, our fathers and all of the people of the land.” (Daniel 9:4-7)

Pretty humble for a man Gabriel described as “highly esteemed” in Heaven.

Religious people always compare themselves to others as if to say, “I’m not really that bad.” But we’re in this mess together! Benjamin Franklin is said to have remarked after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.”

America has turned its back on God. It did not happen overnight. Like the frog in the pot of water, the heat of secularism has been so slowly turned up that we’re about to be cooked if we don’t wake up. It was the God of the Bible whom the Pilgrims trusted when they established the “Mayflower Compact.” When they followed Him, they were protected. When they drifted away, trials and struggles brought them back.

In our nation’s history, two Great Awakenings transformed the spiritual condition of our country. The first was preparing us for the Revolutionary War — winning our independence from Great Britain. The second was prior to the Civil War — fighting to make all men equal before God. It’s been nearly 200 years since the last great move of God. Is it too late for America to repent and humble itself?

If we have breath in our lungs, we have HOPE! I’m seeing the stirrings of the Spirit of God moving on our college campuses with thousands of students coming to Christ and being baptized, some in the back of pickup trucks (Georgia, not Yale).

The results of any election will not determine the fate of America. Only when God’s people humble themselves and seek His face will America be truly free once again.

Something to pray about!
Semper Fidelis