BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 4. f) HE HAS A VISION FOR A GODLY DYNASTY

THE BIBLICAL FATHER SEES HIS CHILDREN AS ARROWS

5b) STICKING FAST ARROWS (Psalm 38:2) CONTINUED.

Sticking fast arrows are also enduring arrows. Daniel and his three friends were definitely sticking fast arrows. Lions and fiery furnaces could not deter their endurance.

Daniel 6:10 says, "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Verse 22 says, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me."

Daniel stuck to his guns when it came to prayer and worship. Three times per day on his knees and nothing would deter him, not even hungry roaring lions. The church needs Daniel type arrows today. It's hard to imagine how much benefit the church would receive if its present day arrows would pray on their knees three times per day. Twenty-first century lions are still roaring and devouring because the present day church arrows scarcely find time to pray three hours in a year! There are very few Daniels around these days that God could use to shut their mouths.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego defied the king's decree and gained victory over the hot fiery furnace that slew those who threw them in, resulting in a decree "That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort" (Daniel 3:29).

Fathers, what does it take to raise arrows that stick fast to their course and who will not deviate to the right or the left? May God help us.

Be encouraged. Colin Campbell