Last November, WORLD Magazine chose their “Daniel of the Year.” Since 1998, World has given an award annually under this banner. Having a different emphasis than Time’s Person of the Year, the Daniels are selected based on exhibiting bravery in defense of God’s authority. This year, WORLD selected the collective group of Christians martyred on a beach in Libya by ISIS as their Daniels. I could not agree more with their choice. The bravery shown by these men to testify to the Lord Jesus Christ unto death is truly a gift to us all. I live in an environment where it is socially acceptable to be a Christian and in some circles, it even looks good on one’s resume. These men were targeted because they were Christian. As one gentleman is quoted in the article, “... the men had lived simple lives of poverty and would have been unlikely to be remembered in other circumstances. But at the moment of truth they stood to the challenge, and they stood tall.”

Though there are many passages, I think particularly of one verse where Christ is speaking to his disciples just before He is to be betrayed.
John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
I must remind myself time and again that being a Christian doesn’t guarantee me anything pertaining to peace and prosperity as the world defines the terms. What being a Christ-follower does guarantee me is an unmatched, heavenly peace because Christ has secured it for His own. Real security is not found in wealth, insurance policies, alarm systems, gun bans, or retirement plans. Eternal security is only found in our Lord and Savior. I praise God for our brothers and sisters around the world that testify this fact every day, even in the very face of persecution and death. Join me in praying for Christians in every corner of the world that are being beaten, raped, pushed from their homes and land, and killed simply for their faith.

I am including a link the WORLD Magazine article below as well as Daniel 6. Be encouraged in the Lord’s provision for his children.

WORLD Magazine's Daniel of the Year: Unconquered

Daniel 6 (ESV)