Article August 1, 1908 Issue

A LESSON FROM DANIEL

JOHN RANDALL DUNN.

THE familiar pictures of "Daniel in the Lions' Den" and "Daniel's Answer to the King," are replete with lessons to every seeker after truth. How often do we find ourselves in the presence of conditions, obligations, and dangers, which stalk about us as wild beasts, threatening to devour us; and we, seemingly helpless, alone and bound, are left to face them. Such experiences often wring from the lips of the student such expressions as, "Why must I have this to meet? Why did God permit me to be placed in this predicament? Why am I not delivered?" and the myriad other "whys" which, as Paul says, "minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith."

In assisting the struggling student to see the light, thought often turns to the lesson unfolded in the picture of Daniel's calm stand in the presence of the ferocious lions. Could he have spent a moment asking "why"? Did he, think you, dare to admit a solitary doubt, fear, or question of God's omnipresence and protection, in the form of a "why"? No, the placid attitude of that lone figure bespeaks aught but despair or wavering. In the picture where his face is upturned to the light, we have not only Daniel's answer to the king, but his answer to us, when fear would force from doubting hearts a questioning "why." Here we see written rejoicing—the rejoicing born of a glorified understanding of the allness of divine Love—for the Bible tells us that "no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God."

Let us bring to our problem, therefore, the uplifted thought of Daniel, and rejoice in knowing that the lions (claims of evil) have no power over us; let us rejoice that we have this privilege of proving God's presence and power. Then there will be neither cause nor room for whining, questioning, doubting; then will our experience cease to be a hardship, but will become instead a privilege, and we may exclaim with the apostle, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation," since thereby come blessed opportunities for proving the omnipotence of God, good. And the result? We have but to look at the picture and see evil abashed, cowed, destroyed; and man in the image of his Maker—with dominion over all the earth. From the inspired pen of our revered Leader also comes a panacea for all doubts and vain questionings: "I will follow and rejoice all the rugged way" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 398).

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FAITH VS. DOUBT
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