LIGHTING THE ADVENT WREATH: The Third Candle

SCRIPTURE: Daniel 6:16, 19-23

Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!’ …Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Daniel then said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.’ Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

LESSON

God wants to be the most important thing in our lives: more important than our family, our things, even our own lives. Daniel understood that; he worshipped God even though it might cost him everything, even his own life. It was against the law for Daniel to worship God, but Daniel knew that God is the only true God, and he would not stop worshipping God. Daniel was punished for breaking the law, and he was put in a pit with lions. But God protected Daniel. People learned of God’s power because of Daniel, and many others worshipped God because Daniel had trusted and honored God.

THINK OR TALK ABOUT

Who do you love the most?

PRAYER

Savior God, it is not always easy to love you more than anything else. Help us to trust and honor you each day.