In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. Daniel 1:1
Did you sing ‘Dare to be a Daniel’ in your Sunday school? That chorus is a challenge for us to have the courage that Daniel and his young companions had in the land of their captivity. Our text begins the account of Nebuchadnezzar’s defeat of Judah in 605 BC, at which time Daniel and many other Jews were taken back to Babylon as slaves. Most of the slaves were eventually assimilated into their new environment. But not Daniel and his close companions. Their experiences provide a good example for us today.
Compromise is one of the devil’s favourite tools to weaken or destroy the testimony of Christians. Just as it was with the young Jews that were taken to Babylon. The king wanted some of the best and brightest of the young Jews to be trained tor leadership. They would be given the best of instruction, and would have the best of food to eat. But much of that food violated the dietary rules that God had given Israel. Daniel and his friends successfully challenged the king’s order to eat that food, proving they did not need to compromise in order to succeed. We don’t either. Young people especially are under intense pressure to engage in immoral behaviour that our Bible forbids, to indulge in harmful substances and drink that violate biblical principles, and to associate with ungodly companions whose company will tarnish our souls. But God promises to honour those who honour Him. And we do well to take Him up on that promise.
Daniel was actually an old man when the great test of his faith involving the den of lions occurred. Many decades had passed since he and his brave companions first stood for their God. Their experiences at proving God’s honouring those who honour Him continued through their lifetimes, and when Daniel was nearing the end of his life, faithfulness to God was deeply ingrained in his character. The den of lions had no power to alter his pattern of obedience and love for his God. What a wonderful example he provides for young Christians today.
Do you dare to be a Daniel today? It will be worth it in the end. -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/1gY0BdskyJQ