Are You Living Proof Right Now Boldly? (Daniel 1 - 7)
Dare to be a Daniel! Now that is a challenge for any Christian! He was living proof of Whom he served, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
The Old Testament is key to teaching us the foundations of the New Testament. Here, we learn the strength, character, and mindset needed for us to be living proof today!
It’s never too late to start!
Download your first two weeks free by signing up below (or buy Book One of the Family Bible Plan)!
Dare to be a Daniel! Now that is a challenge for any Christian! He was living proof of Whom he served, no ifs, ands, or buts about it.
The Old Testament is key to teaching us the foundations of the New Testament. Here, we learn the strength, character, and mindset needed for us to be living proof today!
It’s never too late to start!
Download your first two weeks free by signing up below (or buy Book One of the Family Bible Plan)!
The exiled elite...
Daniel was among the elite of the exiles. He was brought in as one of the most capable to one day enter into the king’s service.
His place in Judah was now vastly contrasted to his role here as an exiled servant, set to learn the ways of the Babylonians and serve their king.
No matter what Daniel’s carnal role was before, one thing is clear: he went into exile understanding God’s power and decrees.
An exiled believer with wisdom...
What easily could have been the most delicious meals of his lifetime held consequences he dared not risk.
Confronted with a conundrum, look how Daniel handles the situation.
“Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”
So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days.
He wisely offered an alternative suggestion rather than flat out rebellion. One that would preserve his religious standards, protect the guard, and most importantly, was based on trust that the Lord would honor his request.
When looking through to understand the similarities and guidelines for us to be living proof that God is our Father, we can see a parallel to two others in the Old Testament.
Joseph had a similar type of situation working for a master, giving God the glory for everything, and seeing how God used his situation for His own glory.
And on a different note, we see that with trust in God, just as with Solomon, that a humble request resulted in multiple blessings.
Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days.
And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.”
And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king.
And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom.
Wisdom and tact...
When Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, he summoned the magicians, enchanters, sorcerers, and the Chaldeans. He not only asked them to interpret it, but to tell him what his dream was!
They had NO idea!
Again, Daniel in his wisdom, stepped forward and respectfully requested an alternative suggestion.
And Daniel went in and requested the king to appoint him a time, that he might show the interpretation to the king.
Power of prayer...
This set of verses provides a key to Daniel’s continual choice to stand as living proof of the God who created him.
He sought the Lord in prayer, understood the importance of it, and rallied his friends to also pray with him.
Praying is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with God. Daniel shows us the power of doing so not only continuously throughout every day (Daniel 6:10), but also when asking something of the Lord.
He made it a habit, literally, to commune with God regularly.
Praise follows prayer...
Daniel understood, regardless of the answer or swiftness of a response, that God was sovereign. When God delivered the correct answer, it was not received as though a mere coincidence.
It was recognized as a direct result of God’s sovereignty over everything on the earth. He is worthy of our praise!
He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding;
He reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.
To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of You, for You have made known to us the king's matter.”
Giving credit where credit is due...
Daniel was humble by example. When approaching Nebuchadnezzar with the dream and its interpretation, he clearly lays out from the beginning who is to get the glory.
The entire book of Daniel brings a sense of God’s sovereignty over all situations in life. He lives his life in a manner that glorifies and upholds God first.
Not only that, but the friends he was partnered with, aligned with, and stuck with (he effected their promotion) all believed the same. Together and separately, they all stood their ground in living proof of God’s sovereignty over their lives.
Living Proof...
There are many Old Testament references to refining, removing dross, purifying, etc. Whether we face a figurative or literal fire(Daniel 3) in front of us, our stance can be the same.
Daniel and his friends all stood as living proof in the midst of the threats of death. While death may not be the consequence to us standing as living proof, it doesn’t mean we back away from that. Instead, it is in those that we grow in our faith and courage so we can stand harder attacks later.
Are you boldly standing in living proof like Daniel did? It’s a question we all need to face as Christians on this earth.
Why or why not?
Are you boldly standing in living proof like Daniel did?
Why or why not?
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