Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12–13, NKJV 

Daniel was young when he was taken captive in Babylon. He and his friends were given Babylonian names that honored false gods, stripping them of their real names that worshipped and honored the one true God. Daniel and his four friends were taken to the palace to be indoctrinated into honoring the customs of Babylonian culture. But instead, they stood their ground and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and according to His law when they refused the command to worship a golden image made by the king, and their faith followed them even into the fire. Daniel never wavered in his prayer habits, even after a law was enacted, and his faith accompanied him into the lion’s den, even in his old age.

Do you choose to be a Daniel at your school? Are you an educator grounded in the Word and prayer? Are you an educator that Christian families and students can rely on?

On the days when this feels impossible, I want you to remember that our final destination is Heaven with our Lord and Savior. It won’t be long, and once we are there, our burdens will be gone.

Heavenly Father, in Your Word, it says our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself (Philippians 3:20–21). Holy Spirit, give us the strength and courage to be Daniels in our schools and lights in the darkness. May we stand firm in our faith as we face the fire and the lions. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright Sarah Tillinghast.

Sarah is a member and a kindergarten teacher from Mid-Missouri.