He was targeted, and set up, but Daniel’s stance in the face of persecution resonates through the millennia.
(Click here for Part 1, and click here for Part 2 if you missed them.)
When living in a world of DEI politics, you have to make your voice heard through protest. That’s what Daniel did. Again we read Daniel 6:10 which says:
“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”
Daniel did this in protest to the Law. He could have prayed with his window shut. Instead, he protested an unjust law by opening up his window and praying the way he had always done.
We’ve always been a people of protest. Whenever unjust laws and practices exist we’ve protested against them for the benefit of everyone.
Refusing to ride the bus in Montgomery – Was that not a protest?
Sitting in at lunch counters – Was that not a protest?
The Poor People’s March on Washington – Was that not a protest?
The Watts Riots and L.A. Riots – Were they not protests?
As Martin Luther King, Jr., famously stated: “The time is always right to do what is right!” When there is no justice it is right to protest the injustice in favor of peace. We can protest through boycotts, peaceful rallies, and community advocacy. Of course, we protest by standing on the Word of God when the laws of God and the laws of man clash.
Roster of Bible Protests and Protestors
Some of our folk feel are uneasy about protesting. But when I read the Bible I see many instances of protests.
Not only did Daniel open up his window and pray in defiance of the law in open protest for all to see, the Bible is replete with instances of protest.
• At the death of Abel the Bible says the blood of Abel cried out from the ground. God “heard” the cry against the unjust killing of Able, is that not a protest?
• When God was about to destroy Sodom, Abraham stood in the gap for the people inside the city and said, “Lord if you just find ten would you save the city then?” Sometimes you gotta be bold enough to speak to the authorities on behalf of those who you know are living foul. Is that not a protest?
• What about Joshua and the children of Israel who marched around the City of Jericho? Some might say, “well it’s ok to protest, but just don’t protest on the Sabbath.” The Bible indicates, however, that Israel marched around the city for seven days, (and that means at least one of those days was the Sabbath). On the seventh day of marching, they marched around seven times! And it’s on that day that the walls fell down! It’s on that day that change happened.
• What about Gideon and his people who had been oppressed by the Midianites for seven long years? Gideon started by tearing down the altars dedicated to Baal. Then instead of sending His people out to fight, God told them to grab some jars, and to grab some torches, and to grab some trumpets, and to surround their oppressors. Then Gideon and his army broke up some stuff, and made some noise! Sometimes you gotta tear down the monuments of an oppressive past. Is that not a protest?
• And what about Samson, a black man with a black hair style, sporting locks down his back. Philistine law enforcement kept profiling him, setting up scenarios to arrest him without just cause. They whipped him, shaved him, and gouged out his eyes. They chained him as a symbol of their power over him. And on the day he died Samson fought back because of the unjust treatment and oppression of his people! Is that not a protest?
• And what about David who saw the men of Saul’s army cowering at the words of the Philistine bully who berated their religious beliefs by belittling their God. David said if no one else is gonna do anything, I’ll stand up and let him know that his insults won’t be tolerated. Is that not a protest?
• And what about Esther who was beautiful beyond comprehension. She took her beautiful looks, and with the confidence and poise of a boss she marched into the throne room without an appointment and without an invitation and spoke to the king on behalf of her people! Sometimes you gotta use what you got to get the results that you want! If you got good looks, use them. If you got a smart mind, use it. If you got money in the bank, use it. If you got influence with influential people, use it. If you got a way with words, use it. If you got the power of a praying heart, use it. Is that not a protest?
• And what about Jesus? Jesus, who died for you and died for me! He walked into the temple and saw the merchants taking advantage of the worshipers. These worshippers, many of whom had traveled long distances, to sacrifice and worship, but were swindled or overcharged for sacrificial animals, and made to feel they may not ever be worthy before God. But Jesus protested! Jesus turned over the tables! Jesus knocked stuff down. Jesus drove the oppressors out! In other words, Jesus broke up some stuff in order to get His point across! Sometimes you gotta turn over some tables. Sometimes you gotta flip over some stuff! Sometimes you gotta make some people move in order to get your point across! Is that not a protest!?
As Christians who love God and love our fellow man we should be indignant at injustice! We should be promoting protest! When people are at risk, don’t be silent! Don’t sit on the sidelines! Do stand for what’s right!
So, when Living In A World Of DEI Politics:
1. Maintain Your Consistency
2. Promote The Golden Rule
3. Make Your Voice Heard Through Protest
Next time we conclude by learning how to hold our leaders accountable!
