God Is Represented By Me!

"The king said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'" (Daniel 6:16b)

The crisis of the nominal Christian? He or she wants representation, but does not want to represent.

One of the hallmarks of Daniel's life was that he chose to represent God. He represented God by excelling in his studies. He represented God by refusing to eat food that had been sacrificed to idols. He represented God by continuing to pray when the law pressed him to abandon that discipline for thirty days, knowing that his choice would land him into a den of lions. 

In what other ways do we represent God? Let us consider a few more actions engaged by Daniel:

• Corporate prayer. Daniel did not "go it alone"; he urged his friends to join with him in pleading for the mercy of God. (2:18)
• Praise. Daniel offered praise and thanksgiving to God. (2:19-23)
• Ascription. Daniel credited God, and God alone, for his abilities. (2:27-28)
• Intercession. Daniel, though he was exiled in Babylon, fasted and confessed sins on behalf of all Israel. (9:1-19)

Let us pray continually.
Let us praise and thank our God.
Let us give God His rightful place: first place.
Let us bear the heavy load of intercession.
Let us glorify God by caring for our bodies.
Let us demonstrate excellence in our endeavors.
Let us obey the laws of God without compromise.
Let us represent.

On Sunday, Pastor Sam asked a question that I would like each of us to reflect on today:
Are you known as someone who "serves your God continually"?