Not Moving

“I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he [is] the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom [that] which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion [shall be even] unto the end.” (Da 6:26 AV)

Stedfast is an interesting word.  It appears only eleven times.  All but three refer to or challenge me to be stedfast.  To me, that was surprising.  Of the remaining three, one use refers to the word of God given by angels.  In particular, the word of God given to Moses on Mount Sinai.  The second use of the word refers to God's character in that He cannot lie.  There are two immutable facts given regarding God in Hebrews chapter six.  These two truths are stedfast.  This last us in Daniel is the one remaining that directly describes God.  This use is unique in that Darius uses the word to describe the total person of God; attributes, actions, character, etc.  The word means enduring and secure.  The Greek word for stedfast means firm and immovable.  Darius’ words are in response to Daniel’s miraculous deliverance from the den of lions.  I am sure the miracle was even more dramatic once the rebellious princes and their families were cast into the den.  As the lion tore them to pieces, the impression of Daniel’s miracle had to be even more astounding than merely coming out of the den alive.

There is something comforting about an object that cannot or will not move.  One of my phobias is falling.  Don’t like the feeling at all!  We moved into a house three blocks from train tracks.  Each time the freight train goes by, our house does a bit of a shake.  When I deer hunted, I didn’t much like being in a stand suspended in the air while a stiff wing blew.  The tree would sway back and forth.  Not a comfortable feeling.  We just concluded our state fair, which is about a mile away.  I go by it several times a week.  The highest three rides are erected right next to the main road.  There is the Farris wheel, the Bungie chord slingshot, and the twirling Farris-wheel.  These rides use the same fear of falling as the thrill that attacks their riders.  Those people are nuts!  One of my worst fears is being in traffic while sitting on a bridge.  With each passing heavy truck, the bridge bounces a bit.  The more traffic that is stopped on the bridge, the greater the sensation.  I like solid ground.  Flying isn’t nearly as fearful as those shaking bridges.  I’d much rather be in a plane at 35,000 feet than one hundred feet above a gorge on a shaking bridge.  But nothing beat old terra firma!  There is great comfort in something that cannot be moved.

Darius’ correct statement in the steadfastness of God is the greatest of all comforts.  God is not subject to material laws of creation.  He cannot fall.  He cannot lose control.  Because God is the Creator and does not change, He cannot be unwillingly influenced by anything He has created.  All things are subject to Him.  And He does not change.  From eternity past to eternity future, God is God.  His character does not change.  His attributes do not change.  His nature has been and always will be the same.  God is God, and there is none else.  Placing our faith in Him is not a stretch.  It is common sense.  Knowing the ground does not move, why would I ever want to leave it for something that does move.  God is that one God who is predictable, absolute, and secure.  Darius was right.  If you are going to worship and submit to anyone or anything, why not the One who never changes?  He, and only He, is the source of absolute security!  Praise be to God.