The book of Daniel is an awesome description of what a life of a disciple looks like. There are so many lessons here, but I decided to go with the very first verse and call it my first lesson.

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. – Daniel 1:1  ESV

The Babylonians create a frightening space where the enemies of God surround you – besieged. Even though I may not wander away from God, if I am with others who have, I will be caught in the siege as well. To be a follower of Jesus now means to follow Him in the presence of enemies.

Peter gets what this looks like too. He gave some great examples on how to handle suffering in our day to day lives. I love the fact that his example was Jesus.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. – 1 Peter 2:21-22  ESV

I think Jesus had to learn to discern God’s will and to learn obedience. He was quoted a few times saying, “Not My will, but Yours, be done.” Each day He was tempted in all points as I am. He chose everyday to humble Himself and suffer in the flesh (deny His self-will and the demands of sin), instead of giving in to sin. As a result of His incredible faithfulness to God, He committed no sin, there was no deceit, He never fell out of love, purity and goodness. This is my teacher, my example – for me to follow in His footsteps.

Peter has a special description of what the Church looks like. Church is an assembly of people who have been gathered out of darkness into the light of Jesus Christ. Church is a collective noun, a collection of smaller units such as the word “herd” or “flock” would mean to describe the gathering of certain cows or birds.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10  ESV

If this description describes me, I belong to a gathering of certain people – the Church – there I find strength when I find myself besieged.