As I began this search for my identity I had to first begin by looking at the things I had let define me. I'm going to share part of what's going in my book, so no one take my concept. In the book of Daniel so many things were against him, so many things tried to define him.
He was carried off from Israel to Babylon, he was refugee.
The Babylonians changed his name, educated him in Babylonian language and customs, and they tried to change his diet, he was forced to adapt another culture contrary to the covenant God had called him to.
Kings sought his counsel, one even bowed before him in worship, and he continued to advance in his career, he was successful in his profession.
Daniel had countless opportunities to let his circumstances define him. He could have fallen into a victim mentality after being forced form him home land, but he didn't. He could have compromised his integrity, fully embracing the Babylonian culture, but he didn't. He could have given in to pride, basking in the glory his success had brought him, but he didn't. If Daniel had, his life would have looked very different, and we probably wouldn't know his name, or at least we wouldn't count him as a hero of the faith.
In everything Daniel did, he never forgot God. This was so evident that even his peers knew that the only way they could find fault with him was in terms of his relationship with God. "Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, 'We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.'" (Dan. 6.4-5)
It was because of God that Daniel didn't allow his identity to be shaped by his circumstances. And it is because Daniel's identity was rooted in God that he was able to endure the most difficult trial of his life.
"Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, 'Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.' A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel." (Dan. 6.16-17)
Daniel's refusal to embrace a false identity caused jealousy among his peers, and it resulted in him being thrown into the lion's den. But because his identity was rooted in God, God delivered him.
"Then Daniel spoke to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.' Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." (Dan. 6.21-23)
When your identity is rooted in God, your circumstances can't define you. In success and failure, ease and hardship, you're foundation is consistent. And when you enter the lion's den, you will not be consumed because God will shut the mouths of the lions.
Where are you drawing your identity?
For more, watch for my book, coming ?
Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11
TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!
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