The cost is great when it comes to the decision you make about God. Do you choose to keep Him close by so when you need Him, you can call for Him or not, or have you learned to dwell with Him every moment of every day? Has God helped you to see how dependent you must be in His Son in order to walk by faith? There is no room for your agenda when it comes to following God.
In the Old Testament, there was a king who was in control over Persia. King Darius decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces and have an officer rule over each province. You can read about this in Daniel 6. You learn in this chapter the cost of not knowing God. Darius ruled his way rather than God’s way. He lived by his agenda rather than God’s agenda.
Amidst worldly, ungodly living, God has true believers living as beacons of light in the darkness. One believer was Daniel. He lived in a godly way where he exhibited faithfulness, was responsible, and found to be completely trustworthy; see verse 4. The king noticed and Daniel rose to a position of authority in an ungodly kingdom (by the hand of God).
Daniel lived for the Lord in every day life.
In a Babylon-style world (known for pride, idolatry and rebellion towards God), dark fruit emerges. Galatians 5:22-23 states the fruit that is exhibited by a true believer like Daniel. The verses just before state dark fruit; see verses 19-21. A dark fruit emerges in Daniel 6 that causes King Darius to make a serious error all because his focus is on the world and not on God.
Other officers became jealous of Daniel. Since Daniel walked in obedience to God, they had to come up with a plan that would cause Daniel to stumble in his faith. Notice how they did not have to work hard at blindsiding King Darius into making a law that everyone must pray to the king or else be thrown into a den of lions; see verses 7-9. It was only for the next 30 days, yet the trap was set and the king signed the decree into law without any hesitation.
The cost to not knowing God becomes great. What is appealing in the moment, what seems right at the time, has a great cost in the end to not only yourself but to others.
When the jealous men saw Daniel praying, like he does daily, they tattled on him to the king. The cost of one’s actions had caught up with Darius. He liked Daniel, but now he had to deliver on what had become law, all because he chose to ignore God and His ways. The cost was becoming greater.
Before Daniel was dropped down in the lion’s den, Darius revealed how he did not know God, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”16 Soon, Darius was going to see for himself who this God that Daniel believes and serves will reveal Himself in a big way! But, until the next morning arrives, Darius was not at peace. His conscience was stirring, his guilt mushrooming, and he quietly hoped to see Daniel delivered.
At the den, Darius called out, “Daniel, servant of the Living God!” See how God had gotten a hold of the king’s heart during the night? “Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”20 Oh, I believe, he was hoping to see God for himself!
Daniel called out that God indeed delivered him. The trust that Daniel displayed caused Darius to want to trust too. Seeing this deliverance helped Darius to see clearly. He understood how he was duped by some men. He took care of the dark fruit; read verse 24. The cost to not knowing God is great and so not worth it.
Darius had a new vision, one that invited God into it. Notice from verses 25-28 how Darius put God first in the kingdom he reigned. What once controlled Darius has now been put aside and a new way of living has taken place. A lifestyle where God’s presence is center stage!
Do you know God personally? Or do you believe Him but you keep Him nearby for just in case? You call for Him when you are out of your own options. God does not want you to see Him this way. He wants to walk with you moment-by-moment where your life belongs to Him. You live for Him now, and you see Him in all areas of your life.
The cost to not knowing God is great. Seek Jesus and come to find the most wonderful relationship ever!
Carol J German 