We continue in the book of Daniel. In the first part, we saw that Daniel and his companions were kidnapped by the Babylonians and wanted to reprogram their identity. Daniel was allowed many things (dress, culture, learning), but when it came to eating the king's food, he objected because it was contrary to the Word, the Word of God. God's will was more important to him than submitting to the Babylonians.
We have talked about how we are like Daniel in that we too live in an "alien" world (this world is not our real home), and there are some things we cannot give in to the influence and seduction of the world. It is Jesus' will that we radically commit ourselves to him and be different from the world. One of the goals of this series is for you to grow in your faith and increase your commitment to God. YOU DON'T HAVE TO GROW! It's everyone's choice, but it's better to grow up than to remain a child in the faith all your life. Let's see what we can learn from Daniel today about this!
Daniel 1:8-21
Daniel WAS DIFFERENT from the other young people because he RADICALLY COMMITTED HIMSELF TO GOD. he did not compromise with sin.
This engagement has not just started. It seems from the text that Daniel somehow knew exactly what had to be done. He had an established STABLE MIND based on the Word of God. STABLE means that he was not swayed, not blown away by every wind, not shaken by the world.
It takes time to develop a set of values. Daniel probably committed himself to the Lord at some point as a young child and began to study God's Word. He read the Bible, listened to sermons online, talked to others about the Word, and became so familiar with the Word that he developed a set of values. So when he got into a tight spot, he wasn't sucked in by the world.
This is a great lesson for us too. If you do NOT have a STABLE MIND, you do not know what God's will is, and you are easily influenced by the world. It takes time to develop a value system. Start to seriously study and know the Scriptures so you know what is right. When we are in a decision situation, many times we don't have time to study the Bible, but we need to already know what we should do. Daniel didn't have much time either. When he learned what the food was, he had to act almost immediately.
When Daniel recognized that the king's command was contrary to his values (the Word), he "resolved" not to defile himself with it. The word "resolved" in Hebrew means "put it into his heart." Very apt: Daniel put it in his heart that he would not sin against the Lord.
„Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 ESV
Our biggest problem is not external but internal.
„For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”” Matthew 15:19-20 ESV
When we repent and are born again, we receive a new heart, a heart of flesh that is sensitive to the things of God, and the law of God is in our hearts. This means that being born again is not just a repair of man's corrupt nature, corrupt heart, but a WHOLE NEW HEART, a totally new nature. It is when one's innermost desires are completely changed, because one now desires to live a life pleasing to God. When we are born again, this new heart is PERFECTLY BLESSED. But as time goes on, the temptations of the world, our own sinful desires, and the temptations of Satan can cause our hearts to become defiled. That is why we must take great care of it, because that is where life starts!
Guard your heart
How can we take care of it (Just some practical advice)
- We have to be intentional about what we let into our hearts. That's why what we watch on TV or television is particularly important. Teenagers today often watch horror films. I am not saying that this is necessarily a sin, but what are we letting into our hearts? What we watch, what we listen to, it is very important to be careful.
- We concentrate on thoughts and external influences that promote love, kindness and compassion, e.g. Bible reading, when the Word travels the 20 cm from our head to our heart. WE REMOVE thoughts and influences that want to lead us in the wrong direction. e.g.:
„See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” Hebrews 12:15 ESV
- Ask God the Holy Spirit to fill us completely and purify our hearts. This has already been mentioned, but it is very important. Jesus said before his death, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, that he may be with you for ever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see him, nor know him; but you know him, because he LIVES IN YOU, and will be in you. (John 14:16-17). What does it mean to dwell somewhere?
- When we sin and God calls us, we confess our sins and lay them at the foot of the cross to experience the joy of forgiveness.
„If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 ESV
- When we take care of our hearts, we experience the joy and blessings that come from living in community with other believers, and we become more effective in sharing God's love and truth with the world.
How did Daniel keep his heart pure? Because no matter what they did to him in Babylon, he never lost his original, true IDENTITY. No matter what they taught him, no matter what clothes he was dressed in, no matter what language he had to speak, no matter what name they gave him, Daniel remained a CHILD IN HIS HEART and a member of God's people. Everything could be taken from him, but they could not take away his true identity.
So it is in the life of a believer. Satan wants you to think of yourself as a cheater, a fornicator, or rejected, unfortunate, poor, stupid, ugly, etc. But God wants you to hold on to your true identity: a CHILD OF GOD. Don't let Satan take that away from you. You belong to God. What your identity is, your values will be. If you claim to be a child of God, you will act like a child of God. SIN DOES NOT FIT YOU.
Even in Babylonia, Daniel insisted that he was first and foremost a child of God, and when he had to do something that went against his values, he resisted. It was not so easy, because there were many pressures that made his decision difficult. They can apply to us too.
- The King's command: gambled with his life (boss's orders, you could be fired)
- The risk of not being able to move forward: if you don't become as strong as the others, you won't move up the ladder.
- Group Press: everyone eats the cool food. Sound familiar? Everybody does. Why wouldn't I? What will they say if I'm different?
- Nobody sees. We are far from Israel, I will do it secretly and no one will know. Problem: God sees and God knows. Coram Deo
- The King's diet is more delicious. Prepared by the best chefs. It must have been tempting. Such is the seduction of the world. What it offers is good for your body, but it destroys your soul.
- Bitterness against God. Why has God allowed this in my life? Why should I obey if God does not protect me from evil?
But Daniel resisted all pressure, because he never gave up his identity in the face of adversity. He "put it in his heart" that he would not sin against the Lord. What do you put in your heart? What do you put in your heart? With the Word of God or with the things of the world? The end of the passage that is read further illustrates what SAVED Daniel to STAY IN THE TISTATE VILLAGE.
- He was not alone. There were four of them. They helped each other. Community is important.
- God given courage. It took courage to disobey the king's orders. The life of a believer is not for cowards, no matter what people say. It takes courage to resist the temptations of the world, because there is often a price to pay for remaining faithful to God. You can lose a friend, a love, money, a job, etc. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE that you will escape without loss. Faithfulness comes with risk. That is why you must resolve in your heart not to compromise sin.
- Perseverance. When the master of the court refused to allow them to eat only vegetables, he did not give up, but looked for another solution. At the first hurdle we say, "I have tried to live according to the Word, but I cannot. God sees that I have tried. So I give up my values and give in to the temptations of the world." NO. If you are committed to Jesus, you will stick to the Word and try to find another way. You keep looking until you find it.
- Divine wisdom. Daniel doesn't argue with the boss, but goes to the little boss and offers him a trial. It costs the little chief nothing, he has nothing to lose. In difficult situations God can give wisdom from above, you just have to ask.
„If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” James 1:5-7 ESV
WAS IT ALL FOR NOTHING? Yes. God blessed the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends.
- Supernaturally strengthened them. Daniel was faithful and God acted. That is our task today. If we want God to act, we must be faithful in difficult situations. In fact, it is in difficult situations that God can present Himself to the unbeliever. If you always submit to the world, don't be surprised if you experience nothing of God's work in your life. Has anything happened in your life that cannot be explained away as the result of God's supernatural work?
- The inspector experienced God's work. Whether he was converted we do not know, but he certainly gave serious thought to the existence and power of God.
- Daniel and his friends have been promoted. They were in the service of the king. This doesn't mean that if we are faithful to God we are sure to move up the ladder (not a success story), but it is a possibility. God will lift you up many times already in this life if you serve Him.
Application
- Want to experience God's work in your life?
- STABLE VALUES! This is the title of today's teaching. Make a commitment to Jesus and "get it in your heart" that you will not identify with the world. Take care of your heart! Believe me, it's worth it because it will lead to a life full of blessings. If you don't have a determination in your heart to remain faithful, you will not be able to choose God at the moment of decision.
- Who do you think you are? Do you belong to God or to the world? Hold on to your true IDENTITY. You are already a child of God, you cannot live like the world.
- Study the Word whenever you can, so that you can develop a heavenly set of values that will help you to discern right from wrong and make the right choices.
- Are there areas in your life where you have compromised with the world? Put God to the test, that if you remain faithful to Him, you will be no worse off than the worldly people and God will give you everything you need. That is the step of faith. Only in this way can you grow in faith.
- Our role model is JESUS, who was completely different from other people because he was absolutely sinless. He was the light itself and was very conspicuous because the world was in darkness. He died on the cross for your sins so that you can now repent of your compromises, your worldly life, your sins. All you have to do is confess your sins and He will surely forgive you.