Sometimes it’s hard to stand up for what you know God wants and expects while everyone else just scoffs.

 

But when you do, you’ll draw unbelievers to God.

You see this in the life of Daniel. 

When Daniel bravely stood up for God and publicly prayed to the true God (instead of worshipping King Darius), he got tossed into a den of hungry lions. 

But God rescued Daniel—and King Darius took notice.

The Bible says of the pagan king: 

“Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: ‘May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’ So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian” (Daniel 6:25-28 NIV).

Pagan kings don’t issue decrees like that. 

It’s obvious that Darius became a follower of the one true God. 

Daniel showed courage and stood up for God in the midst of a very difficult situation. 

And Daniel’s witness for God led to Darius’ decision to follow God.

It’s tough to stand up for what God wants when it feels as if everything is being pushed back in the other direction. 

But when you stand up for God in your context as a church leader, other people will take notice. 

Courage—real, God-honoring courage—draws people to God. 

Plus, as a leader, you’ll encourage others in your church to do the same. 

Courage is infectious.