Today, let me offer this definition: True bravery is kneeling before God while facing the lions. 

It is inspired by Daniel in the lion’s den. It’s one of the most famous Bible stories—and for good reason. Daniel had served in a foreign court for nearly 70 years. At this point, he was in his early 80’s. So much had been taken from him. 

A law was passed specifying that no one could “petition” any god or man except the king for 30 days. This would have included prayer. It was most likely intended to shore up political loyalty to the new superpower who was now governing a very large geographical region. The penalty was being thrown to lions—a cruel form of punishment that the new empire had a record of using.

Nevertheless, Daniel put God first. He “went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (Daniel 6:10).

He was caught and thrown to the lions. But in his power and mercy, the Lord saved him.

Daniel was truly brave. He knew the threat, but he put God first anyway. He kneeled before God while facing the lions.

Although our situation today is different from Daniel’s, there is still a need for true bravery. What are the lions you are facing?—not physical lions of course, but metaphorical ones.

There is a need for true bravery in a world literally going mad, in a world that spits on the Word of God, and that shows increasing apathy to people’s pain.

There is a need for true bravery in a world that celebrates and perpetuates lies, that distorts God’s design and plan for life and family, and in a world where the lost and confused are forgotten, misled or discarded.

There is a need for true bravery in a world that will increasingly put God’s people in jail, that will call you crazy for simply being sane, and in a world where you are told to shut your mouth if you don’t agree with the crowd.

It’s easy to say you “put God first” when everything is nice and cozy. But what about when things get rocky?

True bravery is kneeling before God while facing the lions.

---

Notes:

-“Daniel, The Lion’s Den, and True Bravery Today.” Click here. Sermon.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.