NorthStar Church Blog

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

Daniel 6:10 (NLT)

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PROCESS OVER RESULTS

 

College football is always a big deal—especially down here in the South. This past season was a bit different, though, without Nick Saban patrolling the sidelines in Tuscaloosa. Coach Saban retired with a career record of 292-71-1 and seven national championships.

Many people regard him as one of—if not the—best college football coaches of all time. Though I, like Bulldog fans everywhere, won’t miss him on the other sideline, I am in awe of all he has accomplished.

A hallmark phrase for Saban and his former players is the idea often referred to as “the process.” Essentially, it refers to the mindset of focusing on daily improvement—getting better every single day—regardless of the results on the field. The concept of being process-oriented rather than outcome-oriented is the crux of the philosophy.

Conceptually, the idea is this: if your goal is to win a championship or beat a particular rival, what happens once you accomplish that goal? What will continue to motivate you? How will you keep growing if your sole focus is the outcome? Trusting the process is paramount to finding lasting success.

This week, we’ve studied Daniel in the lion’s den. This famous encounter tells of a faithful man sent to certain doom, only to have God intervene to protect and preserve his life. There are many lessons to be gleaned from this passage—many of them applicable to our daily lives.

It’s important, though, that we don’t focus solely on the outcome. History is rich with stories of people who faced peril and prayed—and yet were not delivered this side of heaven. So, the outcome of Daniel’s story isn’t the sole focus for us as readers. Rather, it is the fact that Daniel trusted the process, regardless of the outcome.

Pastor John MacArthur, in a sermon, said it like this:

“Believing in God doesn’t mean that the lions aren’t going to eat you. There have been martyrs throughout all the history of God’s dealing with men that have believed God—and they’ve died. The issue is that we accept God’s will. If it is to live, it is to live. If it is to die, it is to die. But in either case, we’re never defeated.”

Daniel knew what his fate would be if he were caught praying—and yet he did it anyway. His faithfulness to God was more important than the outcome these men intended for him. Did Daniel know he would be saved or protected? We have no evidence to suggest that. Did he accept his fate? Yes!

Our faith can’t be outcome-driven. We are not God, and we don’t determine all the outcomes. But if we believe His Word to be true, then we know we can trust Him and His process—just as Daniel did. May we all walk with such faithfulness!

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁶ So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

Daniel 6:16 (NLT)

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MISSION IMPOSSIBLE

 

How dangerous is an African lion? Well, according to the stats—pretty dangerous. CNN reports that they kill roughly 250 humans a year. That’s more than sharks, bears, and tigers—combined.

Lions can weigh up to 550 pounds and stand around four feet tall on all fours. They have a bite force approaching 1,000 PSI, can run in short bursts up to 50 miles per hour, and can leap up to 36 feet.

They also have retractable claws capable of shredding through skin, bark, or nearly any other material they choose. Their sense of smell is excellent, and their vision—especially in low light—is exceptional.

In other words, there’s no running, no fighting, no hiding. If you are trapped in a cold, dark cave with a hungry lion, survival is unlikely—if not impossible. At least, without divine intervention.
Such intervention is exactly what happened to Daniel when he was forced into the lion’s den and emerged the following morning unharmed. Why didn’t the lions attack? Because God protected him.

We have a tendency to view our problems through a humanistic lens. This is normal—after all, we are human. However, there are biblical examples that teach us never to lose our capacity to accept unexplainable mystery and to develop a palate for miracles. Jesus Himself tells us that the things impossible for man are possible with God (Luke 18:27; Matthew 19:26).

We serve a God who created the heavens and the earth, who knows the bounds of a limitless universe, who sparked the very inception of life itself—and I have the audacity to try and understand Him? Who do I think I am?

Our God exists outside the confines of nature itself. How did Daniel emerge from the lion’s den without a scratch? Because the Creator of lions was the one who was with him. Paul writes,

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16)

God’s sovereignty over all is something we, as believers, can take refuge in. I don’t know what lion’s den you are walking into, but I do know that we serve a God who has dominion over every inch of it. Don’t try to rationalize or worry. Instead, stand in awe of our God—and allow yourself to trust in the Savior whom even the “wind and the waves obey” (Mark 4:35).

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. ¹¹ Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 

Daniel 6:10-11 (NLT)

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HOLY HABITS

 

Scripture is filled with examples of people facing hardship and responding with prayer. We see Jesus in Gethsemane the night before He went to the cross; there’s David’s numerous prayers during times of affliction, or others like Nehemiah, Paul, and Job.

In those instances, there is a very relatable sense of desperation, fear, or even sadness that accompanies the prayer. It is a good thing to be faced with suffering or difficulty and to run to the pages of God’s Word for inspiration and hope.

In studying Daniel, we see that his prayer in chapter six led directly to his punishment and condemnation, resulting in his being sent to the lion’s den for the night. We don’t get a direct portrayal of what Daniel said or what his prayer might have been, but we do get confirmation that his prayer was a direct response to the command not to pray to God (verse 10).

Based on everything we’ve learned about Daniel, it is reasonable to assume he was an educated and discerning man. He likely understood that once the edict came down from Darius forbidding prayer, dissenters would be punished harshly. Yet he did not run from the punishment in the slightest. He prayed. That was his response.

Daniel’s prayer wasn’t just a desperate plea in the face of danger—it was what he did every day, three times a day. We are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to pray. Jesus gives us direct instruction on how to pray (Matthew 6:9–13), Paul tells us how often to pray—hint: all the time (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18)—and we are reminded to pray when we feel anxious (Philippians 4:6–7; 1 Peter 5:7; Matthew 6:25–34).

Prayer is meant to be a habitual activity for believers, a way of refocusing our attention on our relationship with God. Dietary habits, sleep habits, and workout regimens all matter to our physical health—but habitual prayer serves a deeper, eternal need. Daniel is an example of that.

Pastor and author Alistair Begg discussed Daniel and his prayer life, highlighting it for other believers:

“Daniel is, I think, in passing, an illustration of the priority of forming holy habits. It was his unswerving witness which made it possible for him to be caught. And as loyal as he’d been to these various empires in serving them, nobody could be in any doubt about his loyalty to the Kingdom of God. He looked towards Jerusalem, where he believed the truth was found and where he believed men and women from every nation would look for their salvation.”

May we all be as committed to the forming of holy habits so that similar words can be written about us!

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

³ Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.

⁴ Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

Daniel 6:3-4 (NLT)

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STANDING OUT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS

 

I have played the bass guitar since I was 15 years old. After getting my first bass—a Washburn that still holds a sentimental place in my heart—my dad signed me up for lessons, and I was off and running.

Those lessons, and my awesome teacher named Eddie (who is still playing live music), had a huge influence on me as a player. I had an interest in playing in a garage band with my friends, and I wanted to learn how to do all the flashy stuff—yes, like slapping the bass, which is the number one question bass players everywhere get asked (thanks a lot, Paul Rudd).

What I learned from my teacher was that none of those things matter if you don’t have a foundation in the fundamentals of music, the instrument, and technique as a whole. He taught me to keep it simple and focus on the basics.

Playing in the pocket—having a sense of how to play in a way that adds to the song or makes the other musicians sound better—that is what matters. You might be able to wear sunglasses like Joe Dart, but if you don’t actually know how to play, then you’re standing out for the wrong reasons.

As we discussed Daniel chapter six this past week, we learned a lot about who Daniel was as a man even before he had to survive a night in the lion’s den. He had earned the favor of Darius and was placed in an administrative leadership role over the 120 satraps governing the area (v. 3).

When jealousy took hold among his colleagues and they began to plot and scheme against him, they kept coming up short. Verse four says, “…they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.”

Everything we can glean from Daniel suggests that he was a great leader (v. 3), a man of integrity (v. 4), and a man loyal to God above all else (v. 10). We have a very clear picture of someone who set a godly standard for us to follow.

I’m brought back to my bass lessons with Eddie—perhaps it’s best to focus on the basics. If we can be people of integrity who place God above all else, then we can stand out for the right reasons, like Daniel.

 

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

¹⁰ But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. ¹¹ Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. ¹² So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

¹³ Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”

Daniel 6:10-13 (NLT)

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DEFIANT PRAYER

Jealousy is a dangerous influencer of behavior. It can lead to poor choices and regret, and it can bring harm to others. As we studied Daniel chapter six this week, we read the remarkable story of Daniel being sent to the lion’s den and his incredible protection from the Lord in that moment.

Daniel was an established leader, held in high regard within the kingdom—even among his peers. A faithful man, Daniel prayed three times a day—every day. His performance, along with the praise and attention it garnered, drew the jealous ire of the administrators and satraps (which, by the way, means “a provincial governor who oversaw administration, security, and tax collection within their assigned territory”).

They schemed to trap Daniel by convincing Darius to sign an edict limiting prayer and praise to be directed only to Darius himself. In response, Daniel “got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, as he had done before” (verse 10). This led to his apparent condemnation—yet Daniel didn’t seem worried.

Interestingly, the name Daniel has a very relevant meaning: “God is my judge.” Daniel lived up to his name, fearing only the judgment of God—not the judgment of his fellow men. He was not going to stop praying to his God because of an edict or any form of earthly authority. He understood to which judge he ultimately had to answer.

Pastor and author John Piper described Daniel’s prayer life as “daring, disciplined, and defiant.” He goes on to say, “If what God thinks matters most, then you consult him most. If what God does matters most, then you ask him to act first. In other words, you live your life by prayer.”

Consulting God the most should be the default reflex of any believer, but I have a feeling I’m not alone in saying it’s not always mine. Daniel’s example is simple to see but hard to follow. When we have decisions to make or fears that begin to creep in, what should we do? We should PRAY!

You and I may not be faced with a literal lion’s den—at least, I sure hope not—but we are undoubtedly faced with new troubles every single day. Let’s respond by following Daniel’s example and falling to our knees in prayer.

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Lee Wilson and his wife, Deanna, have been NorthStar Church members since 2010. They are parents to Everett, Henry and Roselyn. Lee is passionate about sports (Go Braves, Go Dawgs) and has the pleasure to serve on the worship team as a bassist.

 

 

17 Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

Jonah 1:17 (NLT)

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THE WAY BACK TO GOD

 

I can guarantee that when Jonah bought his one-way ticket on the ship to Tarshish, he had no clue he would be swallowed by a huge fish and spend three days and nights there. To my knowledge, no one before Jonah—or since—has ever endured this experience and lived to talk about it. As we know, God works in miraculous—and mysterious—ways.

I can only imagine how foul it must have been inside that fish. After all, fish already smell a bit “fishy” when they’re expertly cleaned and prepared for my dinner plate at Red Lobster. But can you imagine living inside a fish for three days? As my dad would say, “Peeee-shew!”

For Jonah, this fish wasn’t just a smelly, slimy form of punishment. It was a means of transportation—an unforgettable one—to get Jonah back where God wanted to use him. It isn’t likely to appear in the form of an aquatic beast, but the Lord does the same for you and me when we have disobeyed Him: He provides a way back—to Him and to our divine assignment.

Typically, our response to the Lord’s correction is one of two extremes: we wallow in shame, or, in further defiance, we sever our relationship with Him. The Lord does not want us to pursue either of those options. Instead, He wants us to do three things:

1. Confess – Honestly share where we missed the mark.

2. Repent – A “churchy” word for simply going in the opposite direction of our sinful actions.

3. Walk with Him!

The next time you find yourself as an outcast, bobbing up and down among the waves of your disobedience, know that God has provided a way back to Him! And be thankful it’s not in the belly of a whale!

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the LORD’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

Jonah 1:15-16 (NLT)

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GOD USES OUR STORMS TO SAVE OTHERS

 

This is an often-overlooked part of the story: the sailors on the ship headed to Tarshish came to know the Lord! These men believed in “little g gods.” But despite Jonah’s selfishness and blatant disregard for their safety, God still showed up—not just to claim Jonah, but to reveal Himself to them!

You’ve heard the phrase, “God doesn’t waste anything.” This is proof! In the middle of Jonah’s disobedience, we find a ship full of pagan sailors—men who didn’t know God but were so absolutely amazed by His might that they abandoned their gods and turned to Him.

This should be a sobering wake-up call for us. There are people everywhere—all around us, every day—who don’t believe in God. Or if they do believe there is a God, they certainly don’t have a relationship with Jesus. And get this: He loves them too! So much so that He will reveal Himself to them through someone else’s trials—perhaps even yours!

Let’s be mindful of this! When you are disobedient, you put others in harm’s way. But that also opens the door for the Lord to do His masterful, saving work! And as we see in Jonah’s story, that might just mean you’re thrown overboard in the process.

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.

 

5 Fearing for their lives, the desperate sailors shouted to their gods for help and threw the cargo overboard to lighten the ship. But all this time Jonah was sound asleep down in the hold. 6 So the captain went down after him. “How can you sleep at a time like this?” he shouted. “Get up and pray to your god! Maybe he will pay attention to us and spare our lives.” 7 Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. 8 “Why has this awful storm come down on us?” they demanded. “Who are you? What is your line of work? What country are you from? What is your nationality?” 9 Jonah answered, “I am a Hebrew, and I worship the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the land.” 10 The sailors were terrified when they heard this, for he had already told them he was running away from the LORD. “Oh, why did you do it?” they groaned. 11 And since the storm was getting worse all the time, they asked him, “What should we do to you to stop this storm?” 12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” 13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. 14 Then they cried out to the LORD, Jonah’s God. “O LORD,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.” 15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!

Jonah 1:5-15 (NLT)

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THE UNSEEN COST OF SIN

It’s one thing to face the consequences of your sin; it’s far worse when others in your wake must endure hardship as a result of your decisions. This is where we find Jonah at this point in the story. Interestingly, he doesn’t seem distressed at all—he’s sleeping like a baby while the sailors aboard the ship are fighting for their lives!

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C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.