STUDY ON THE LIFE OF DANIEL

Standing For Gods Glory

STUDY (3)

Rev (Dr) Paul Ferguson Calvary Tengah Bible Presbyterian Church Shalom Chapel, 345 Old Choa Chu Kang Road, Singapore 698923 www.calvarytengah.com 4 December 2011

STANDING FOR GODS GLORY A Study of the Life of Daniel (Daniel 1:10-21) Things look dark for these four godly Hebrew youths. Everything is against the flourishing of their faith. The lure of Babylon was impressive and the fearsome Nebuchadnezzar was not a man to be trifled with. It would have been so easy just to compromise so far from home. But these young men won the battle because their eyes were on a greater power than the might of Nebuchadnezzar. They were aware of the great potential cost, yet they considered that honouring Gods Word was more important than their educational prospects or even life itself. They were in Babylon, but they were not of Babylon! Spurgeon remarked, They can burn, but they cannot turn - they can die, but they cannot deny the Law of the Lord, their God! In 1924 a young Scottish athlete Eric Liddell refused to compromise his convictions about running on the Lords Day. Although he was the favourite to win the 100 metres race, he refused to run and withdrew from the final. He was criticized as an extremist and unpatriotic by many for his action. Providentially, due to another runner dropping out of a 400 metres race, Liddell was able to take his place and won the gold medal. After the Olympics, Liddell went to China in 1925 as a missionary where he served faithfully until 1945, when he died in a war camp. His last reported words were, Its complete surrender, which referred to how he had fully given his life to his God. In a 2008 poll Liddell was voted as the most popular athlete Scotland has ever produced. God honours those who honour Him is a biblical truth (1 Samuel 2:30). Interestingly, another Scottish sportsman, the rugby player Euan McMurray also refused to play games in the Rugby World Cup 2011 when they fell on a Sunday. There have always been people who feared God more than the face of man. What we believe has a direct impact on how we behave. Daniels faith was anchored to the Word of God, yet he was not passive in living a godly life. He had purposed in his heart not to defile himself in his diet. Daniel knew that the issue at stake was Gods glory and name. This crucial decision will radically change his whole life. To him there were no small areas of his life that he could disobey, as Jehovah was the Lord of his whole life. His belief in the absolute sovereignty of God directly affected his life choices. He served a higher King than the great monarch of Babylon. I am sure Daniel was aware of the teachings of the great prophet Jeremiah, Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8) Sadly, many people purpose many things but cannot act according to that purpose. The Lord always tests such faith and commitment as, .the trying of your faith worketh patience (James 1:3). The house built by faith on that rock must endure the storms of life assailing it.

And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. (v10)

The prince of the eunuchs is very honest here with Daniel, I fear my lord the king. This was a very reasonable objection, as life was cheap under a ruler like Nebuchadnezzar. In the book of Jeremiah we read of him roasting people alive in the fire (Jeremiah 29:22) and ordering the king of Judahs sons to be killed before him after which his eyes were gouged out (Jeremiah 39:6-7). We can only but imagine the consequences for those who would undermine a pet project of the king. The prince of the eunuchs is aware of the real danger, then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.

Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the kings meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. (v11 -13)

This reminder of the fearsome reputation and power of Nebuchadnezzar does not put off Daniel. He does not shrug his shoulders and tell his three friends that he had tried so God would surely understand that he had now no choice but to eat the kings meat. Instead, Daniel remains as stedfast as a rock. There is a marked contrast between the prince of the eunuchs and Daniel. One feared man whereas the other feared God more than man, The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe (Proverbs 29:25). We cannot be God-pleaser if we are a man-pleaser (Galatians 1:10). People who fully trust the Lord have no price that can buy their principles. They will not sacrifice eternal principles for immediate expediency. That is the spirit of those who Dare to be a Daniel. For daring to be a Daniel requires believing what Daniel believed and living as how Daniel lived. In this incident Daniel not only shows us the necessity of standing for God but also the importance of how we take our stand, Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, (Colossians 4:5a). He had a graciousness that goes with a truly godly character. Daniel also shows his maturity and spiritual wisdom in how he presents his objections. Doubtless, he prayed much for wisdom and courage to do so. This wisdom was God-given, As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom (1:17a). Daniel approaches Melzar discreetly, humbly and respectfully, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee. There is no ostentation, arrogance or rudeness in his words, but he was principled and polite. He does not demand but simply presents it as a request. Nor does he go on hunger strike or throw the food on the floor. Daniel tactfully recognizes the very difficult circumstances that his superior was in. So, he suggests a trial period for ten days that was entirely reasonable. This should pose no risk to the life of Melzar, as the programme was for three years. The wisdom and simplicity of this is also apparent in the nature of the test proposed, Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the kings meat. The outcome would be apparent to all and therefore straightforward to evaluate. Nor should it be noted does Daniel indicate that if this request is unsuccessful or the trial period is not to the satisfaction of Melzar, that Daniel will now eat the unclean meat. He just says, and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. There is no hint in his words that he will eventually compromise. He was polite, but firm in his stand. Daniel trusted that if God wanted him in this programme, then God could keep him there. Compromising simply removed the favour and

protection of God. Throughout his life, Daniel will do what is right and then leave the consequences to a Sovereign God to determine.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the kings meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. (v14-16)

God honoured Daniels non-compromising spirit. He moves the heart of this pagan prince to listen to this request and then to grant it. When we live by faith, God moves to help us, When a man's ways please the LORD, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7). As MacArthur points out, And if God wants them to be kind to you, then Hell take care of it. You dont have to compromise to gain your ends. You dont have to compromise to gain the goals you think you must attain. To do so is to eliminate divine protection, but to be uncompromising is to invite the protection of God Himself. The word pulse is a general word that can refer to vegetables or cereals such as grain. From a natural perspective the exchange of gourmet food for pulse and water is not the most appealing nor is it considered a balanced diet for nutrition. Yet, God gives these young men the ability to not only to endure this act of self-denial, but to prosper under it. Daniel had to rely on God to intervene. This was a tightrope he had to walk by faith. Ten days should not have made, their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the kings meat. But God is the God of the impossible, especially for those who trust in Him. Doubtless, Daniel was trusting in promises like this, And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee (Exodus 23:25). We should also note that Gods grace to Daniel in this incident is an answer to a prayer made many centuries before. When Solomon prayed at the dedication of the temple, he specifically prayed that God would favour His remnant in captivity, And so return unto Thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto Thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for Thy name: Then hear Thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, And forgive Thy people that have sinned against Thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against Thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them. (1 Kings 8:48-50) God is not limited in time or space as to when He answers prayer. Daniel may have been aware of this prayer and reminded the Lord of it as he faced this trying incident.

As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. (v17)

Sometimes the Lord gives an immediate reward for the man who stands for Him. On other occasions, it is a reward in the hereafter only. In this incident, the Lord honours the stand taken by His four godly uncompromising servants. The order is not without significance. They

take their stand for the Lord and He then honours them. Favour with God led to favour with men. Daniel got an additional reward as he, had understanding in all visions and dreams. This revelatory gift would be the means of saving the lives of many others in the next chapter. God already is preparing His servant for the next trial before he arrives at it.

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus. (v18-21)

Living for God never causes us to miss out on anything of lasting value. God is a debtor to no man, And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matthew 19:29). The outcome of their faithfulness is that these men excel not just spiritually but intellectually amongst their peers, ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Many of these men would have been three or four times the ages of these Hebrew teenagers. Their colleagues were the cream of the crop yet they graduated far above them at the head of this impressive class. These four young men suffered no physical or intellectual loss in choosing this Godhonouring diet. The Lord blessed their obedience abundantly above all they could ask or think. This was not just to their immediate superiors, but also before the great king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar was clearly an astute judge of natural abilities (cf. Proverbs 22:29). The stand of these four youths seemed to many to be an insignificant thing, but what rewards it brought. The Psalmist makes clear, Thou through Thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for Thy testimonies are my meditation. (Psalm 119:98-99) These young men must have applied themselves to their God-ordained studies with wholeheartedness, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men (Colossians 3:23). Believers should demonstrate with their lives that with the grace of God, they should excel wherever providence places them! APPLICATION Serving God in Babylon does not require us to compromise with Babylon! We can live right and maintain our Christian integrity and witness. It doesnt matter if we are in the highest political or academic circles as Daniel was. It doesnt matter where we are or who we are, but what we are that really counts. Daniel knew that if he didnt draw a line where the Bible drew a line, he would end up just like the Babylonians around him. But he was not willing to gain something with men and lose something with God. We must follow the example of Daniel and be uncompromising in our walk with God. Stuart Olyott makes a good observation, The Lord could entrust them with such promotion because they had demonstrated at base level that, come what may, even when in personal danger, they would remain true 5

to Him. Daniel was to remain in such a position for seventy years!.....None of us can make a higher position count for God unless we live for Him now, where we are. If we are unwilling to stand up and be counted for him over small things, how will we ever do so over bigger things? Is it possible to be faithful in much without first being faithful in little? This book of Daniel is a very practical one. In a world that is increasingly intolerant of Christian values, we need to get the truths of it across to our young people. People today, especially youths, face incredible pressures to conform to the values and practices of the prevailing culture. We too must have biblical convictions and we must hold to these convictions. A person cannot decide for others but he can decide for himself. The key to a blessed life is never to compromise any biblical truths in the seemingly small things. We need to purpose in our heart that we will not compromise our testimony and witness when the test comes. And it will come. The best time to take a stand is early. Daniel proves that there is no justification to capitulate. Such courage produced a lifetime of blessing for Daniel, as God protected and promoted Daniel as this young man honoured Him. Pritchard makes a good application, It may not have seemed important at the time, but his decision not to eat the Kings food shaped the next 60 years. We talk about Daniel 2500 years later precisely because of his decision. If he doesnt make the right choice, the rest of the book never gets written, and he becomes a forgotten Jew in Babylon who looked and acted just like everyone else. I know that in terms of scientific progress, the world has changed since Daniels day, but God has not changed. Gods Word has not changed. And the world still tries to seduce us. The good news from Daniel 1 is that it is possible to live for God in high school, in college, at work, and in your career. Daniel has shown us the way. I am sure that if Daniel had a free hand to plan out his life, seventy years in Babylon would not be high on his priorities. But that is where the extraordinary character of Daniel shines through. He trusted in the sovereignty of the wisdom of God, as the unseen director of the drama of his eventful life. If God wanted him away from home in a hostile pagan environment, then Daniel could simply trust God to take care of him there. Daniel focused on upholding his convictions and let God take care of his circumstances. This man Daniel would simply live by faith shining as a light for God despite the darkness around him.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. What does Daniel teach us about how to appeal to those in authority?

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