Do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. – Hebrews 10:35
After William Wilberforce committed his life to Christ, he became passionate about abolishing slavery. Beginning in 1789, Wilberforce’s abolition bill became an annual occurrence in England’s Parliament as he brought the issue before the House of Commons for consideration. The first time a bill was introduced, Wilberforce lost the debate by 163 votes to 88. He was fiercely opposed by those making fortunes from the trade and each time they used many delaying tactics. Yet he never gave up despite enduring vitriolic verbal and physical attacks and bouts of debilitating illness.
In 1796, the abolitionists thought they finally had sufficient support in Parliament. But parliamentary opponents offered free opera tickets the night of the vote and the bill was defeated by four votes. Wilberforce had a nervous breakdown and collapsed. But John Newton quoted the Bible story of Daniel in the lions’ den to Wilberforce. Newton explained that Daniel also found himself in great difficulty. But he trusted in the Lord so his enemies could not prevail against him. Newton told Wilberforce, “the God whom you serve continually is able to preserve and deliver you, he will see you through.”
On February 23, 1807, abolition of the slave trade was once again debated in Parliament. When Wilberforce realized it would finally pass, he bowed his head and wept. At 4 o’clock in the morning, the Commons voted 283 – 16 to abolish the slave trade.
What assignment has God given you? If He has called you, boldly walk forward today knowing He will use you to change lives. Pray also that America’s legislators will courageously fight for religious freedom, the sanctity of life and the family.
Today’s Verse: Hebrews 10:35
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Daniel 6:10-23
10 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. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
