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おそろしい湿気だ。パートナーがパン屋のパンを食べたいと言って買いに出かけ、ドヤ顔で帰ってきた。買いすぎたらしくて笑う。美味しいパンだった。

バイト先に来た馴染みのお客様が、私がずっと気になっていた時計を着けていて思わずああそれ！と大声を出してしまった。良い品ですよねえと意気投合して楽しかった。そのうち買いたいけれど、我慢しているうちに来年になりそう。すぐに廃盤になったりはしないだろうから急がない。

ボスがまたおやつに生春巻きをくれた。美味しくて気に入っているので、どこで買えるのかもちゃっかり教えてもらう。

バイトが終わる頃パートナーが近くに来て、少しだけ買い物してから車で一緒に帰る。雨で肌寒い。家に着いて生春巻きとスープなんかを適当に食べつつ、二人で観る映画を選ぶ。

元々パートナーはジョジョを観ようとしてたのだけど、疲れてる時にやかましいアニメは勘弁してくれえ、と私は悲鳴みたいな声が出た。映画は？と聞くと長いからなあと唸る。いや、ジョジョだってどうせ2、3話観るでしょ！と畳み掛けたら納得してくれたのか、NOPEを観ようかということに。

Big Idea: We cling to our faith and God’s faithfulness during trials because our God delivers!

Because our God delivers, there are 2 spiritual anchors to cling on during trials:

1) OUR FAITH IN TIMES OF TRIAL (vv.1-18)

“Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, 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 ‭ESV‬‬)

“Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his Lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

2) HIS FAITHFULNESS THROUGH TIMES OF TRIAL (vv.19-28)

“Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 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.” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬-‭23‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

“He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”” (‭‭Daniel‬ ‭6‬:‭27‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

God does not deliver us FROM the trials.

God delivers us THROUGH the trials where our faith deepens and our trust in Him is elevated.

The ultimate purpose of the deliverance is for God himself to be glorified.

Reflection Questions

1. As you look at the trials in your life, how have you been responding to them?

2. In times of trial, what makes it difficult for you to cling on to your faith in God?