In the book of Daniel, we see that King Darius issued an edict restricting anyone from praying to any god or man (with the exception of the King) for 30 days on penalty of being thrown in to the lions den. So what did Daniel do? He not only continued to pray as he always had but threw open his upstairs window toward Jerusalem as well.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Particularly in light of current restrictions being placed on the Church in regard to gathering and worship. For the most part the Church has been cooperative opting to comply with authorities who have deemed it necessary in order to slow the spread of the Corona virus. But as time goes on one has to wonder at what point the restrictions become less about the virus and more about control especially when it comes to certain segments of society. While Wal Mart and Lowes have been teeming with customers for weeks Churches are only now being allowed to reopen at a greatly reduced capacity. It really defies all reason and is beginning to look as if these willy nilly restrictions are simply because they can.
This last edict by the Governor of California really set my teeth on edge. On July 3, it was reported that Governor Newsom had temporarily banned singing and chanting in places of worship due to a worsening pandemic. As mentioned previously Churches are already limited to 25% of their congregation with Communion and offering plates likewise restricted. Communion, the Lord’s table. One of the ordinances we hold most dear – set in place by Jesus himself restricted by authorities.
I know a lot of people were outraged by this but what astounds me is that we are not seeing any faith leader step up to the plate and resist this kind of tyranny and discrimination against places of worship. Protestors and violent mobs take to the streets in hundreds if not thousands and are tolerated while we sit on our hands. Hello!! Social media works for us as well. Why are we not organizing vast numbers of people to take to the streets and sing? We really need to differentiate between obeying laws that are just and “laws” that are not. I really thought perhaps over the weekend that Christians of California and perhaps in other states as well as a measure of support would take to the streets in defiance of this ridiculous order and sing. People, THIS IS OUR DANIEL MOMENT and we are letting it pass us by. Our time in history. Do we obey man or God? Singing and praise is integral to our worship and our God is due it! Not optional! There are dozens of scriptures about praising God. Psalm 98:4 says – “let your cry ring out”! What are we going to say, “well, I would but this piece of cloth is in front of my mouth … and you know, the Governor said we can’t”. When are we going to realize that a mask works just as good as a muzzle. Please, let it not be said of us!!
“Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth –let your cry ring out, and sing praises! Psalm 98:4
I can assure you we are going to be tested in the days ahead in ways we probably can’t even imagine right now. But, think of this – thousands of people in the streets singing praise to Jesus- wow- what a witness that would be! But, who will go? Who will organize this? Who??? Faith leaders, we need you — again, this is our Daniel Moment — let it not be said of us ( to our everlasting shame) that we missed it.
“We will sing, sing, sing …. And make music with the heavens …. We will sing, sing, sing ….Grateful that you hear us ….when we shout your praise …. lift high the name of Jesus!” *
“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6
Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy
*Song by Chris Tomin
Heaven Bound 
Great point, we all need to find ways to shout out our praises to the King of Kings!
By: Kara on July 6, 2020
at 7:06 pm
You’re right! We may never get an organized effort but each day we have opportunity, if we look for it.
By: cindybythesea on July 7, 2020
at 1:11 am
Great Post! Just because the church of today is lukewarm,that doesn’t mean we have to stand by and do nothing, in fact we need to come out of that Laodecian church mind set and find our Daniel moments! I will be considering this and look for ways I can shine a light in this dark world.
By: tayski07 on July 7, 2020
at 1:13 am
Thank you so much for your comment (and all the comments) … I am encouraged that we can all look for and find our Daniel moments. Even one at a time …it matters.
By: cindybythesea on July 7, 2020
at 1:19 am
Reblogged this on For Such A Time As This.
By: Nina on July 7, 2020
at 2:25 am
Well said, succinct, and obviously Holy Spirit-inspired, sister Cindy. Daniel’s boldness is an example to us all as Believers. May we also be so bold- we must be. Not really by being “in their (masked) face(s)” but rather by standing our ground, and like Daniel did, making our praise even more obviously public and spiritually pure so there is no denying Who is the One we serve, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And never silenced no matter the potential cost in this world, for we are not of the world. Brethren, rather we are to be as light in the darkness, not hidden away and cowering timidly. Again, an awesome post which will surely act as a blessing to the True Church. Shalom.
By: serayah on July 8, 2020
at 12:57 am
Thank you so much for your encouragement and not to just me but to all of us who name the name of Jesus in these perilous times. Awaiting eagerly for your next post. I will be linking to it for sure.
By: cindybythesea on July 8, 2020
at 1:18 am
Hello Cindy,
Good word Sister. Praise the Creator of Heaven and earth, which not only gave us our blessed Savior for our redemption, but His Holy Ghost as well. Surely, true Christians in these days and the coming ones ahead, must have a boldness of faith and not a mere cockiness of believism.
However, such faith, whereby we can indeed overcome both the world and the wicked one, can only be possessed by those who have done as Paul stated to the Galatians, “They that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts thereof. [For] If we [are to truly] live in the Spirit, [then] let us also walk in the Spirit.”
See, we must cease from sin, as the Apostle John said, and do the works He has called us to do. Not in our might, but by the faith of the Son of God who must live in us if we are to be true disciples. For Paul earlier stated to the Church of Galatians, “I am crucified with Christ, yet nevertheless I live. Yet [it is] not I [alone that] live, but Christ now lives in me. Therefore, the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me,” and “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
We will never overcome the world and the wicked one until we are truly crucified with Christ and the old life has been buried with Him. For the new life is a resurrected life in which sin is not to reign in our lives anymore. For Paul tells us, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should no longer serve [the flesh so as to] sin. For whoever is dead is [truly] freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live [in, through, and] with Him. Therefore, knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died [for us and] unto sin once, but since He [has resurrected and now] lives, He [forever] lives unto God. ”
“LIKEWISE, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body by obeying the lusts of it anymore. Neither yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin [by fearing what men might do when they try to lord over you,] but yield yourselves [completely] unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For [Christ died so that] sin should not have dominion over you; for you are not [now living] under the [weakness of the power of the] law, but under [the power and authority of life-transforming] grace [which makes brave soldiers out of cowards, living men out of dead men, and transform sinners into true saints, partakers of His own divine nature].”
This is the time for God’s people to awake unto righteousness and sin not. For we can truly have what the early church had if we but cast off the old man and live in Christ by faith and love. Consider the forerunners of our precious faith, and let us all imitate them in all their boldness of faith and holy ways –
— And they [the powers that be] called them and commanded them not to [sing or] speak at all, nor to teach in the name of Jesus [trying to destroy the work of God in men’s lives].
But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right before God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. But we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
So, when they [the powers that be] had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way as to how they might punish them because of the people. For all glorified God for that which was done. For the man on whom this miracle of healing occurred was more than forty years old.
And being let go, they went to their own company and reported what the chief priests and elders had said to them. And having heard [what the apostate leaders had commanded,] they lifted up their voice to God with one accord and said, “Lord, You are the God who made the heaven and earth, and the sea, and all that is in them; who by the mouth of Your servant David has said, ‘Why did the nations rage and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against His Christ.’ For truly, against Your holy child Jesus, whom You have anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the nations, and the people of Israel, were gathered together [against Him, but only] in order to do that which Your hand and Your counsel determined before to be done. So now, Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your Word, by stretching forth of Your hand for healing, and miracles, and wonders may be done by the name of Your holy child Jesus.”
And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they spoke the Word of God with boldness. And the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul. And not one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own. But they had all things common. And the apostles gave witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power and great grace was on them all.
For neither was anyone needy among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and they laid them down at the apostles’ feet. And distribution was made to every man according as he had need. (Acts 4:18-35)
Let us live for the glory of our Resurrected King!!!
By: William E. Males on July 8, 2020
at 4:37 pm
Thank you, William for this very important add-on (to my post.). The example has been set before us most excellently as pointed out in the scriptures you shared and are more relevant than ever today. We are all individually and collectively being faced with our own Daniel moments. May God help us to be found faithful.
By: cindybythesea on July 8, 2020
at 5:05 pm
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
If the “church” examines itself, it will find it’s allegiance has been divided by a clever scheme of the enemy.
Tax exempt status 501(c)3
https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/the-restriction-of-political-campaign-intervention-by-section-501c3-tax-exempt-organizations
Is this why “leaders” are reluctant to stand? The tendency to protect “the church” by it’s leaders usually ends up being the corporate entity that was created to operate as a 501(c)3 which may not be the same as the body of believers.
The recent edicts in Maine issued by it’s Governor, are a clear violation of Article 3 of the Maine State Constitution. Separation of powers.
As we slide into the lawlessness that is to ensue, dare to remember that it is Almighty who is above all things.
By: jeff white on July 9, 2020
at 8:39 am
Excellent point! Thanks so much for joining the discussion. May God bless you and your family in these last days! Cindy
By: cindybythesea on July 10, 2020
at 2:18 am
I say, wear masks and sing! With the masks on, they can’t tell who’s singing and who isn’t. I love the idea of Christians taking to the streets and singing. This has been happening in some places.
https://anewscafe.com/2020/07/23/redding/bethel-beneath-the-bridge-thousands-flock-to-sundial-bridge-to-worship-during-pandemic/
By: seekingdivineperspective on July 29, 2020
at 8:21 pm