Jesus said: ‘I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world’ (John 16:33 MSG). Life keeps handing us problems that test and stretch our faith. Daniel’s success made him a target. Knowing he prayed regularly, his enemies persuaded King Darius that all prayers should be made to him as the king. But Daniel kept praying each day – in front of an open window. When the king heard about it, he threw Daniel into a lions’ den. But God turned things around. Next morning Daniel came out, his enemies went in, and the king announced, ‘Daniel’s God…is the living God’ (Daniel 6:26 MSG). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship the king’s idols. Even when they were warned to bow or burn, they said, ‘God…is able to deliver us…But if not…we will not serve thy gods’ (Daniel 3:17-18 KJV). And because they walked by faith, God delivered and promoted them. Facing Goliath, David refused to wear the king’s armour. He said, ‘I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them’ (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV). So what did he go with? ‘The name of the Lord’ (1 Samuel 17:45 KJV), and the rest is history. Chances are you will never find yourself in a lions’ den, a fiery furnace, or facing a giant – although some days it will feel like it. But when you’re under attack, 1) pray and claim God’s power, 2) walk by faith, and 3) go ‘in the name of the Lord.’
