FAITH WORTH EMULATING – DANIEL

Today is Monday. It is the first day of the working week. What better to meditate than about faith as we enter the work week. Who better to study and emulate than Daniel, as someone who worked for the government. Daniel is a very fine example of how to navigate through tough, testing and troubling times, and continue to hold on to God and honour him by remaining faithful to the LORD. 

1- Daniel chose to honour his God than to defile himself with the food – “8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8

2- Daniel was humble and gave all the credit to God when asked to interpret the dream – “27 Daniel answered in the presence of the king, and said, “The secret which the king has demanded, the wise men, the astrologers, the magicians, and the soothsayers cannot declare to the king. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these:” – Daniel 2:27-28

3- Daniel was steadfast in the face of life threatening restrictions and chose to honour his God than to compromise his faith – “10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” – Daniel 6:10

4- Daniel was prepared to lay everything on the line, even face death, than compromise his faith and not live for his God – such faith honoured God and He was revered by all – “16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions.” – Daniel 6:16a

Daniel was successful in his faith and his work is because of his immovable faith in his God, and his uncompromising stand to uphold the standards of his God even under life threatening situations. He chose rather to pay the heavy price than to compromise in his faith in the LORD. Such a faith is worth emulating, even though such a faith is not easy, and probably very few could rise up to such levels of faith. What made Daniel different is the fact that he chose to put God and His standards over and above himself, his comfort, his safety and his future life and progress. Only those who choose such a faith and walk on it determinedly will be used by God at such high levels.

The result of such an uncompromising faith in God is found in the LORD being lifted up and glorified by all.

• 13 “You are the salt of the earth…14 “You are the light of the world…16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:13-16
• “46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, prostrate before Daniel, and commanded that they should present an offering and incense to him. 47 The king answered Daniel, and said, “Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon.”
• “28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other God who can deliver like this.” – Daniel 3:28-29
• “27 Therefore, O king, let my advice be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps there may be a lengthening of your prosperity.”…34 And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I lessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom is from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand Or say to Him, “What have You done?” – Daniel 4:27,34-35
• 29 Then Belshazzar gave the command, and they clothed Daniel with purple and put a chain of gold around his neck, and made a proclamation concerning him that he should be the third ruler in the kingdom.” – Daniel 5:29
• “16 …the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”…18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.”…26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.” – Daniel 6:16b,18-23,26-27 

How about us this morning dear brothers and sisters? What is the quality of our faith? What is the strength of our faith? What is the character of our faith? Will we be able to stand for our LORD Jesus as did Daniel in the face of trials and testings? Will we be able to hold on to our faith uncompromising like Daniel? We need more of such Christians today, than ever. When Daniel chose to stand for his God, God chose to stand with Daniel and helped him stay strong and steadfast even in the face of severest of storms in his life. The same God is still available to any of us, even today. May we seek the LORD to help us stand for Him uncompromisingly. Even so, the LORD help us.