The Lion’s Den Test
God designed us to have a real relationship with Him. Even more significant is the fact that the Lord wants us to desire to have a relationship with Him.
One of the best-known stories in the Bible is Daniel in the Lion’s Den. He chose to honor God with his life. Even though he knew there would be consequences to his loyalty, he was not swayed from his devotion to the Lord.
This inner strength came from a decision he made when he was a young boy. In the first chapter of Daniel, we are introduced not only to Daniel, but also to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three made the same mental conscious decision to honor the Lord that Daniel had made. Daniel 1:8 says he “made up his mind to not defile himself with the King’s choice food.”
Every one of us has things in our life that we have allowed to control us. We know what they are! We all like to think that we are mentally tough. But are we? I am very old-school and when someone says to me, “You can’t do it!” it just lights a fire inside of me that screams, “I’ll show you!” We should take that same desire to win and apply it to our walk with the Lord. In essence, tell Him, “I want to win at being pleasing to you.” You and I have the choice every day to feast at the King’s table as His child, or feast on the scraps the world has to offer. Obviously, Daniel and his three friends made a wise choice.
So many times in my life I have chosen poorly, perhaps you have too. Maybe you and I could take a moment and simply say, “Lord, I am making up my mind to follow you. Help me!” The ripple effect of this decision will be reflected in our personal lives, our marriages, our parenting and our walk with the Lord. No one knows when the “Lion’s Den” test will come – but may you and I choose wisely when it does. Be diligent and stay strong!
–John Croyle 
Executive Director, Big Oak Ranch
Author, Who You Are/Defying the Circumstances that Define Us, Bringing Out the Winner in Your Child, The Two Minute Drill to Manhood and Raising a Princess, www.bigoak.org
