This is a message delivered by Pastor Kim Jung-gon at the 2026 West American Camp Meeting morning session, exploring the spirituality of maintaining a longing for and trust in God even amidst suffering and limiting situations (the den) through the life of Daniel.

What Are We Focusing On?

• The gift the preacher received from a young man was a portrait of himself.
• Instead of listening to the sermon, the young man observed the preacher for the sake of his major, which was art.
• Apart from our religious mindset, it is very important what we focus on in the flow of this era.
• Are we focusing on God in the midst of suffering?

Daniel's Reality Cast into the Den

• In the Bible, a den symbolizes death, burial, and a place of refuge.
• Even in his mid-80s, Daniel lived an isolated life like a den.
• He was in a lonely situation exposed to political and religious survival competition.
• God defined him as a 'man greatly beloved.'

Characteristics of a Person Who Has Received Grace

• A life recognized as a servant of the living God.
• As one who has the spirit of the holy gods, he does not lose his longing for God.
• He lives a life of answered prayer where his petitions reach God.
• Regardless of age, he constantly longs for the knowledge of God.

Lessons of Faith Learned Through Rock Climbing

• Experts emphasize the technique of straightening the knees to maintain balance when rock climbing.
• When relying only on his own ability, he was gripped by fear and just stuck to the rock like a frog.
• The moment he trusted the One who gave him good equipment (God's grace) and straightened his knees, he was able to walk up.
• Our lives also gain peace and confidence only when we trust in God.

Spirituality That Shines Even in the Den

• Daniel resolved to pray, fasted, and submitted to the Spirit of God.
• His greatness lay not in his ability to interpret world history, but in his eyes that looked toward Jesus Christ.
• The den of suffering is an opportunity to meet God and a place to see the kingdom of heaven through prayer.
• Even if our daily lives feel like a den, that place can become a heaven where God is with us.

Spreading the Gospel Through the Life of a Person with a Disability

• A brother suffering from a disease that caused his whole body to stiffen did not stop literature evangelism from his wheelchair.
• He devoted himself to doing God's work, even skipping meals.
• A neighbor who watched his patience for a year finally confessed that he would believe in God.
• He lived a life of spreading the gospel through the gaps God provides even in the midst of pain.

Sentences to Remember

• "O Daniel, man greatly beloved."
• "You are wearing good shoes but climbing like you are wearing cheap slippers. Trust in the love and care of the One who gave them to you and straighten your knees."
• "In every segment of prayer, I saw the kingdom of heaven unfolded by the soul's longing to find God."
• "I hope we all become people who pray to the Lord, as the place where I am, even if it is a den, is an opportunity to meet Him."

One-Sentence Core

Even if you are in a 'den' of suffering and limitations, when you pray without losing your longing for and trust in God, you can meet Jesus Christ and enjoy grace there.

2-Minute Summary

• When our lives feel like a den, God calls us 'a man greatly beloved.'
• Faith is not about adapting to circumstances, but about trusting God and using the equipment of grace He has provided.
• Like Daniel, resolving to pray and maintaining a longing for God is the secret to keeping one's spirituality.
• Suffering is an opportunity to meet God, and prayer is the channel that turns that suffering into heaven.
• Even in my limitations and pain, God is still alive and spreads the gospel through us.
• Live a life that becomes like Jesus Christ through the training of looking at God in any situation.

Bible Text and Reference Materials

• Book of Daniel — The Bible passage that serves as the basis for Daniel's life, prayer, and the revelations he saw.
• Book of Jeremiah — The book that Daniel studied deeply in his old age and discovered the hope of the Second Coming.
• Spirit of Prophecy — The books used by the brother with a disability when he did literature evangelism from his wheelchair.