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From the PastorsOur Head Pastor - Jeremy Simons with his wife |
Every week one of our pastors shares reflections on religion, or what's going on around the community and the world.
From Rev. Andrew M.T. Dibb
From March 14, 2010
Daniel in the Lion's Den
Babylon represents human selfishness. We all have a selfish side: as we put ourselves above others, think we are more important, that others should bend to our will. Selfishness is the source of the nasty things we say or do to others. It is our most serious spiritual enemy, but the Lord gives us the way to combat and overcome it: He gives us Daniel. Daniel is a symbol of our conscience, the collection of truths the Lord uses to guide us through our lives.
This morning’s story is a stand off between Darius the Mede and Daniel, between states of selfishness, and our conscience. It begins when Darius’ other leaders were jealous of Daniel, but they could not bring him down. They convinced Darius to forbid anyone to worship any god other than himself. The punishment was death by being fed to the lions. Darius was flattered, and passed the law. Left to itself selfishness exalts a person over the Lord Himself. Lions in the service of Babylon represent the willingness to fight against goodness and truth.
But we should never overlook the resistance the Lord gives us. Daniel went home and bowed down before the Lord three times a day. If our conscience is real, we will feel it as it takes a stand against selfishness. At first resistance seems gentle, but we should not confuse gentleness for weakness. A true conscience is never weak.
Daniel in the lions’ den is about temptation. Falsity often seems stronger than truth. Yet nothing is further from the truth. Truth comes from the Lord and draws its power from Him. In temptation selfishness and falsity are stopped up, like the lions in the den. Their mouths were sealed by an angel, and Daniel was protected all night long.
Victory brings a remarkable change in us. Selfishness never goes away completely, but it can be tamed and brought under control. We always need some level of self concern, but this is a far cry from selfishness running our lives. Through temptation selfishness is brought under control. It is replaced by a healthy self-concern making it possible for us to serve the neighbor and the Lord.
(AMTD)