We are a blessed nation because we have freedom.  We can say what we want; we can do what we want; we can live where we want; we can be who we want, and we can worship who and what we want.  No one dictates to us how to live our lives.  We have free will.  This is not the case in most other countries.  In the United States, people practice all kinds of religion and have the freedom to do so.  However, in other countries Christians, especially face persecution and are often killed for their faith.

We really haven’t changed that much from 2000 years ago.  One would think that religion would bring peace; however, it is quite the opposite. Religion and the practice of religion often causes war and persecution of one’s faith.  In Daniel 6:6-23 is an example of how one is persecuted for practicing their faith.  The king wants to be worshipped.  He told his kingdom that they could have no other gods – the king was to be their god. And, there were deadly consequences if one was found praying to God.  If caught, you were thrown into a den of lions.  Daniel heard about the interdict – “that anyone who prays to anyone, divine or human, within thirty days except to you [the king], shall be thrown into a den of lions” (Daniel 6:12).  Even though Daniel knew the consequences of praying to his God, he did so anyway.  For Daniel, not praying and being in a relationship with God was not an option!

So, Daniel was indeed caught, persecuted for his faith, and thrown into the den to be devoured by the lions.  The next morning when the king came to see if he was dead, Daniel says, “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless” (Daniel 6:22).  Daniel trusted God to deliver him from harm! 

We are a blessed nation in which, we can practice any religion without severe consequences.  We do not have to worry about persecution to the extent of death.  What might you be going through that you need to place your trust in God?  As Christians, we have a God that will never leave you or forsake you – Even in the most dangerous and worst of circumstances.  Like Daniel, trust that God will see you through.