The Ferocious Favorite

     I am going to write about one more favorite person in the Old Testament before moving on to the New Testament.  Actually I probably could find something I like about each person in the scriptures and something we can learn from each, but I will settle for the few that came to my mind first. So the next one that came to my mind had the courage of a lion and got to meet these so called ferocious and hungry lions in a very up close up and personal way. Have you figured it out yet? Yup! It is Daniel. Course he had 3 friends that were not far behind him in courage, but they got to heat their feet in a fiery furnace instead of making friends with lions. And Daniel didn't even have to act ferocious because the lions weren't. They all enjoyed one anothers' company! But they, referring to the people, not the lions, all had the courage and strength to stand up for what was right, even knowing it could cost their lives. They were not born this way and we know nothing, in reality, about their childhood, but somewhere and somehow and by someone they were taught the laws of God and chose to live by them . . . even when it meant ridicule, persecution, and death. They stood strong and true to their testimonies and set a clear and righteous example for all, including us, to follow. I do not think, at least at this point in time, we are going to be tossed into fiery furnaces or lion' dens filled with hungry lions, BUT we may be tempted, ridiculed, insulted, and possibly even beaten up, as we choose to stand firm in our faith and testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been told that in the last days we will truly be tested. I hope and pray each of us can become strong enough in our faith and love of God that we will stand true like Daniel and his friends did, even in the face of cruel and painful death!