{"id":2785,"date":"2013-09-06T17:48:18","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T22:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/wc\/?p=2785"},"modified":"2013-09-06T17:48:18","modified_gmt":"2013-09-06T22:48:18","slug":"in-the-den","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/wc\/2013\/09\/in-the-den\/","title":{"rendered":"In the Den?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today\u2019s post is by guest blogger Josef Rasheed, Senior Pastor of C<\/a>rossRoads Covenant Church<\/a> in DeSoto, TX. Josef is a member of the Covenant’s Commission on Worship and a regular worship leader at Midwinter and Annual Meeting. He blogs regularly at www.JosefRasheed.com<\/a>, where this post was originally published.
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\"daniel-1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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This morning I read\u00a0Daniel 6<\/a>, the story of Daniel in the Lion\u2019s Den. It\u2019s an all-time favorite of mine since children\u2019s Sunday School at\u00a0Beebe Memorial C.M.E. Temple<\/a>. I always imagined Daniel sitting in the den in complete comfort, as the lions roared and pranced all around him. As I read the story this morning I concentrated on Daniel\u2019s testimony.\u00a0\u201cMy God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty\u201d\u00a0(Daniel 6:22). WOW! God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions; they couldn’t even utter a roar of intimidation. Daniel was not alone; God sent His angel. Most of all, Daniel was found innocent in the sight of God; it had nothing to do with King Darius. The whole thing was God\u2019s design to test Daniel\u2019s consistency and determination to worship the true God of the universe.<\/p>\n

Perhaps you’re in a situation where you feel life is working against you, people are wrongfully harassing you, and you\u2019re abandoned to a pit of danger. It\u2019s only a test. God knows exactly where you are and what you’re going through. Do not fear! He is with you, protecting you from the dangers of the den. Always remember, the One who shuts the lion\u2019s destructive mouth, will open your mouth to offer Him blameless praise when the test is completed. Stay committed to God in your personal worship, serving Him alone and never turn to anything, or\u00a0anyone<\/span>, other than God. You may not \u201cfit in\u201d with the crowd but you will have His favor upon your life. That’s really all you need.<\/p>\n

Your connection with God through worship is central to your testimony, especially to non-believers. Don’t just talk worship, live it. A lifestyle of worship is more than singing your favorite praise chorus, or reading a best-selling devotional, or listening to an inspirational podcast as you drive into work each morning. A worship lifestyle demands that you check your heart daily, live honorably and humbly before God and people. Be compassionate to the poor, relieve the oppressed, and speak out against the injustice around you. Never seek public approval or the approval of a person of influence. Seek God, your loving Father, and the One who desires your worship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today\u2019s post is by guest blogger Josef Rasheed, Senior Pastor of CrossRoads Covenant Church in DeSoto, TX. Josef is a member of the Covenant’s Commission on Worship and a regular worship leader at Midwinter and Annual Meeting. He blogs regularly at www.JosefRasheed.com, where this post was originally published. 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