We were doing a little imagining in the Ludy household the other day.  My kids love to climb inside the Daddy operated Time Machine and go on great adventures, all narrated by yours truly.  This particular go-around, it was Hudson and Harper that joined me.  Hudson started the rocket engines and then with a push of a button, Harper launched us back into time.

Our destination: Ancient Babylon. 

Hudson was very interested in visiting Daniel just before he got thrown into the Lion’s Den.  So, Daddy plugged in the coordinates and away we went.

I strategically programmed the Time Machine to arrive just minutes prior to the whole “Lion’s Den” drama.  We popped out of the Time Machine and began looking around the room for Daniel.  Hudson cried out, “Daniel?”  And Harper joined in the chorus.  There was no answer.  Lo and behold, he was in the corner of the room praying - so lost in the Person of Jehovah that he didn’t even hear us come in.

When Daniel finally noticed us, he invited us to join him for prayer.  But before we knelt down next to him, he gave us forewarning.  Prayer unto Jehovah was outlawed in Babylon.  And the consequences were severe if one was ever caught.  But, Daniel told Hudson and Harper, “Nothing is going to stop me from communing with my God - nothing!”   Both Hudson and Harper agreed to join in his dangerous prayer session.  And everything was beautiful and sweet . . . until. 

There was a loud noise behind us and suddenly armed men were in the room commanding us to stop praying immediately.  And Hudson and Harper instantly were made aware of the consequences of their actions.  The penalty: they were to be fed to the lions.

Suddenly, this wasn’t a game to Hudson.  He exclaimed, “I don’t want to play this anymore!”  And with a whimper of panic, he ran to Momma, who had just entered the room.  So now, only Harper remained alongside Daniel.  Daniel asked Harper if she was willing to go with him to the Lion’s Den or if she wanted to return back home to safety in the Time Machine. But she was very excited for the adventure to continue (I don’t think she fully understood what it meant to be fed to lions, and I also think she was fascinated to see inside a real-life lion’s den).   

Hudson watched with great trepidation from Momma’s lap as Daniel (a.k.a. Daddy) and little three-year-old Harper were slowly lowered into the Lion’s Den.  As Daniel was going down into the lair of death, he spoke assuringly to little Hudson.  “Watch and you will see that God never forsakes his children - God can stop the mouths of lions.”

Watching little Hudson grow has been such a lesson in the Christ life.  He has the rescuer’s growl, the longing to be a mighty man for Jesus - but He doesn’t yet possess the necessary substance of soul.  He needs an “overcomers” faith in Jesus Christ, the kind of faith that doesn’t waver when lion’s jowls are in the ascendent.  And that sort of faith is one step removed from “beginners” faith.  “Beginners” faith jumps out of the boat, like Peter did, and starts the supernatural walk on water, but the deeper muscular faith is proven, not by getting out of the boat, but by keeping your eyes on Jesus the entire water-walking journey, and not staring forebodingly at the winds and waves that are coming out to hinder your course.

Hudson has a simple trust in Jesus.  And it is so utterly precious.  But, as a Father, I desire to see Hudson’s simple trust grow into a mature lion-roar of assurance in the Rock Solid Promises of the Almighty God.  I want to see Him stand like a man upon the Word of Truth, upon the Ever-Preserving Presence of His Great Jehovah, and see him unwavering, unbending, and unfazed by the cruel threats, the railings, and the accusations of a world hell-bent on snuffing out the testimony of Jesus Christ on planet Earth. 

If you have a “beginners” faith, cherish it, and don’t let anything rob you of it.  After all, that’s your supernatural access into the throne room of grace.  But when you get into the throne room of grace, go after the stuff that makes an “overcomer” like Daniel.  For there is a sort of faith that “subdues kingdoms, works righteousness, obtains promises, stop the mouths of lions, quenches the violence of fire, escapes the edge of the sword, out of weakness is made strong, waxes valiant in fight, and turns to flight the armies of the aliens (Heb 11:33).”  And I say, let’s not think that our “beginners” faith is the end.  There is something more mature and grand to still discover. Our “beginners” faith is merely the spiritual currency we are needing in order to go after it. 

I’m happy to announce that after spending the night in the lion’s den (a night, mind you, which was really only about a minute in duration), Harper and Daniel emerged completely unscathed and happy as clams.  And even though it be imagination, the fact that God proved He could “stop the mouths of lions,” felt very very real to little Hudson.