Matthew West Urges Believers to Imitate Daniel’s Bold Faith: ‘Stand Firm’
By Movieguide® Contributor
Matthew West shared a realization he had about the reason why we cheer on the heroes of the faith and how they help us understand how to live out our faith today.
“There are some movies that always make me stop my channel surfing to watch…No matter how many times I’ve seen the movie THE GLADIATOR, if I see it on television, I’ll sit down and watch a little bit of it,” West said. “As I was watching the crowd cheer [the gladiator’s] name, ‘Maximus, Maximus,’ I thought to myself, what is it that makes us cheer displays of courage like that?”
“I think it’s because we long to be that kind of courageous in our own lives, don’t you? Often, we applaud what we aspire to,” he continued. “We applaud what we wish we could do ourselves. I feel the same way as I read about the story of Daniel. As I read about a man who unapologetically prays to God despite a law put in place saying it would lead to his death, I find myself cheering for Daniel the same way that crowd cheered for the gladiator. He wasn’t supposed to pray, but he did it anyway.”
West believes that Daniel’s faith and courage in the face of fear is becoming more and more applicable to Christians living in America as the country’s values slip further from Biblical principles.
“I think we’re living in a time when it has never been less popular to say that you are a Christ follower. Do you feel that? While I have never experienced true persecution for my faith the way that so many have in countries that have deemed it illegal to be a Christian, the tides feel like they are changing in our nation, and if you follow Jesus, you are certainly moving in a counter-culture direction,” West said.
“This is why we need to know stories like Daniel’s. This is why we need to read stories like Daniel’s. We need to read about heroes of the faith who set the example of how to stand firm and not crumble in the face of fear,” he added.
Despite coming from a society that was formed much differently than our current one, Daniel’s story speaks to situations that still occur today. As society chases fame and power, Daniel shows what it looks like to chase Christ instead.
“The king was getting ready to elevate Daniel’s status. He had a special job just for him. Daniel was willing to let all of that go and didn’t allow power or statues to quiet his faith,” West explained. “He knew all of that was at stake, and he didn’t care. He chose to pray and let the power and the status that was coming his way go if that was what it meant. He was still going to acknowledge God.
“While our country is built on a foundation of ‘one nation under God,’ we can all see the erosion of that taking place,” West continued. “The pressure to water down the message of the Gospel has weakened many pastors, churches and believers. Daniel knew his king was the only one worthy of his prayers and praise. No compromise.”
“Daniel knew he would be sentenced to death of he prayed,” he added. “This is the ultimate display of courage when it comes to faith, to say, no matter what, I will pray to God; no matter what, I will look to my God; no matter what, I will honor my God.”
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“Daniel and the Lion’s den. God shut the mouth of the lions and protected Daniel because Daniel was brave,” West explained. “He said I’m not gonna stop praying.”
“So, I want to encourage you and say, Don’t stop praying. Like Daniel did. Keep praying just like Daniel did,” West added.
West then shared with listeners one thing that God revealed to him.
“As I read the story of Daniel for like the one millionth time. And I know I say this all the time, but I’ll be a broken record about this until I go home to heaven,” he explained. “I love the reminder that God’s Word is alive and active.”
Prayer has been a focus for West this year, and his new song, “Don’t Stop Praying,” reminds listeners to turn to Jesus.
“Every year I land on a personal theme that becomes a mission statement for my own faith journey,” the singer shared. “This year’s theme is don’t stop praying.
“The 5x GRAMMY® nominee is gearing up for his DON’T STOP PRAYING 2024 TOUR with special guest Cochren & Co which kicks off in February,” CCM Magazine reported.