In a quiet country home, far from I the busy city, there sat a Christian mother and her little curly-haired boy of six, all alone with an old family Bible. It was Sunday evening, and while all the other members of the family had gone to the evening service, Mrs. Joyce and her little Rob were having a quiet hour, such as mothers delight to have with their little ones, telling “the old, old story” in loving, simple words, which will never be forgotten.
The Bible story to which Robbie listened with more than ordinary interest that evening was “Daniel in the Lion’s den”—a story old, yet ever new. His godly mother sought to show him that
He always wins who sides with God,
To him no chance is lost;
God’s will is sweetest to him when
It triumphs at his cost.
The little fellow’s eyes peered up into her face and with a firmly knit lip the dear child said, “Mother, I’m going to be like Daniel.” The mother’s heart could only send up to heaven a silent prayer, “God grant that it may be so.”
Years passed away and Robbie was now a bright schoolboy of twelve. He was truly converted too, and a follower of the Lord Jesus for several years. Everybody in the school knew that Rob’s religion was no “sham.” Even those who had sneered at him at first began to look up to him, and one of the worst boys in the class declared that if there were a “good fellow” in the school, it was Robbie.
But the path of a Christian schoolboy is strewn with temptations, and when Robbie was on vacation one day, two of his schoolmates asked him to play “cards” with them. “I never play cards. My mother told me I was never to touch them,” said Robbie. The boys laughed and made some slighting remark about Robbie’s being his mother’s pet, but the clear, decided “No!” saved him from further trouble that day. He had “dared to be a Daniel,” and his mother’s prayer was answered.
Some years later, a young man stood in the office of a city firm. He had been with them for a number of years, and was now about to be promoted and sent as their representative in a distant land.
“We have full confidence in your integrity, Robert, and would especially warn you against temptations of business life in a far country, especially in speculation and gambling,” said his boss.
“I thank you sincerely for your counsel,” returned Robert. “It was what my mother taught me, when a child, and by God’s grace I shall always seek to remember it.” His boss rose from his chair, his eyes filled with tears, and grasping Rob’s hand, he said, “God bless you, my boy. We feel that our interests are safe in your hands.”
Rob had many a trial and temptation, but with Christ in his heart and the Word of God as his guide, he was preserved from the tempter’s snare, and he was used in leading many a weary sinner to the Saviour. He “dared to be a Daniel,” and although he sometimes stood alone, as far as man could see, the Lord, whom he trusted and whose name he sought to honor, stood by him. The Word loved and received in early years, the Saviour trusted and loved in childhood’s days, the decision formed to “be like Daniel”—God strengthened him to stand by them; and his life has been one of brightness and blessing. The beginning of such a life is in trusting Christ.
ML 07/25/1965