A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Wednesday,
June 30,
2021
Each time we pass this large
farm house is south of Mount Joy we take notice of the
huge millstone to the left of the walkway.
(Click on photo to enlarge)
"Preparing
To Be A Daniel"
Listen
to this message on your audio player.
"Among
those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel,
Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah".
“But Daniel resolved in his heart that he would not
defile himself” (Daniel 1:6,8). “At this, the
administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds
for charges against Daniel in his conduct of
government affairs, but they were unable to do so.
They could find no corruption in him, because he was
trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent”
(Daniel 6:4).
We are
studying Daniel in our Adult
Bible Fellowship Class. Our teacher stressed the
strong, uncompromising, courageous stand that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (AKA
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) had taken as young men
(perhaps in their teens) after being taken captive to
a foreign land. At the exile they had been taken from
their families and homeland. But there is no record of
what prepared them for this ordeal, such
as teaching from their parents
or other godly influences.
Today,
as we see our world crumbling into greater and greater
immorality and anarchy we challenge you to be like
Daniel now and to prepare yourself and those
in your sphere of influence to be like him, standing
true when the time of trouble comes rather than bowing
to the evil in our day.
Dare to
be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Above is
the cover art on an album by musician Keith Green from
over 40 years ago. The photo depicts a scene where the
people are required to bow before the passing king.
But one brave soul, true to his convictions, remains
standing in uncompromising, obedient defiance. A
soldier on a horse is pointing him out. We are left
wondering what consequence he faced for doing the
right thing in the eyes of the One True King (Exodus
20:3-6).
It made us think of those all over the world who faithfully stand up for the Lord and His commands amidst attacks on their Christian convictions; those who refuse to bow before the false gods of the age whether literal or spiritual.
Today
we challenge our readers to dare to be a Daniel.
Some sixty years separate the events described in our
two daily texts. The first describes Daniel as a young
man separated from his family after being taken
captive into Babylon. He made a purposeful resolution
to stay true to his faith in God. I have always drawn
strength and encouragement from the description of
Daniel's character, “But Daniel resolved in his
heart that he would not defile himself”. Just
consider the godly influence of Daniel's parents and
other godly leaders in his youth as their teaching and
example surely helped to equip him for such an
unwavering decision.Perhaps
the prophet Jeremiah, who lived in the previous
generation, had a role in
Daniel’s spiritual upbringing. At a young age Daniel,
along with his three friends Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah, made the same decision not to defile
themselves by forsaking the God of their youth. God honored them for maintaining their
convictions.
The
second verse describes Daniel as an old man, still
faithfully serving God and admired even among his most
ardent critics for his integrity. We find him late in
his career serving in government office during the
reign of Darius, who happened to be the third world
emperor he served under. His righteousness and Darius’
intention to further promote him prompted jealousy in
the other leaders. They looked for a basis to make
charges but were unable to find any. What a powerful
testimony he had: “They could find no corruption
in him, because he was trustworthy and neither
corrupt nor negligent.” The events that follow
led to the lion’s den and one of the greatest stories
of supernatural deliverance in the Bible.
What a steadfast man Daniel was! Our age desperately needs men and women like him. The specific sources of temptation and trouble may vary, but we all need to “purpose in our heart” that we will stay faithful to God and His truth. Like Daniel we need to be trustworthy. How do people view our character? Are we trustworthy? Have we made a purposeful resolve to stay faithful to God? Let us take the proper steps to make sure that we are. “Let Us Dare To Be A Daniel!"
The
second verse describes Daniel as an old man, still
faithfully serving God and admired even among his most
ardent critics for his integrity. We find him late in
his career serving in government office during the
reign of Darius, who happened to be the third world
emperor he served under. His righteousness and Darius’
intention to further promote him prompted jealousy in
the other leaders. They looked for a basis to make
charges but were unable to find any. What a powerful
testimony he had: “They could find no corruption
in him, because he was trustworthy and neither
corrupt nor negligent.” The events that follow
led to the lion’s den and one of the greatest stories
of supernatural deliverance in the Bible.What a steadfast man Daniel was! Our age desperately needs men and women like him. The specific sources of temptation and trouble may vary, but we all need to “purpose in our heart” that we will stay faithful to God and His truth. Like Daniel we need to be trustworthy. How do people view our character? Are we trustworthy? Have we made a purposeful resolve to stay faithful to God? Let us take the proper steps to make sure that we are. “Let Us Dare To Be A Daniel!"
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father, I thank you for the “Daniels” of our
day. Many of us grew up with fathers and mothers
who not only taught us right from wrong, but
modeled it daily in their relations with family
and others. So many today are growing up without
Biblical models or Scriptural instruction which
has brought about much confusion about what is
right and wrong, true or false. The power of
Your inspired Holy Word reveals absolute truth
and is taught by those such as Daniel who didn’t
allow fear, pride, or earthly ambitions to
compromise his integrity. Even as Daniel stood
the test while continually overcoming the
tempter, I pray that You, Father, would help us
to prove our loyalty to You when faced with
worldly temptations, especially the temptation
to just go with the flow rather than to go by
the guidance of Scripture. May our resolve to do
that which is right greatly lessen our
temptation to do that which is wrong. Amen.
Today’s lesson prompts consideration of another brave figure in human history. Esther served during the reign of Xerxes who followed Darius. I wonder if she might have known Daniel when she was a small child? Like Daniel she took a courageous stand for truth and her faith is best summarized in her resolve expressed in 4:16 of the book bearing her name: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. “Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Here is the complete text to the song “Dare To Be A Daniel”. What soul-stirring lyrics Philip P. Bliss wrote in 1873 nearly 150 years ago.
Daily
prayer: Father, I thank you for the “Daniels” of our
day. Many of us grew up with fathers and mothers
who not only taught us right from wrong, but
modeled it daily in their relations with family
and others. So many today are growing up without
Biblical models or Scriptural instruction which
has brought about much confusion about what is
right and wrong, true or false. The power of
Your inspired Holy Word reveals absolute truth
and is taught by those such as Daniel who didn’t
allow fear, pride, or earthly ambitions to
compromise his integrity. Even as Daniel stood
the test while continually overcoming the
tempter, I pray that You, Father, would help us
to prove our loyalty to You when faced with
worldly temptations, especially the temptation
to just go with the flow rather than to go by
the guidance of Scripture. May our resolve to do
that which is right greatly lessen our
temptation to do that which is wrong. Amen. Today’s lesson prompts consideration of another brave figure in human history. Esther served during the reign of Xerxes who followed Darius. I wonder if she might have known Daniel when she was a small child? Like Daniel she took a courageous stand for truth and her faith is best summarized in her resolve expressed in 4:16 of the book bearing her name: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. “Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Here is the complete text to the song “Dare To Be A Daniel”. What soul-stirring lyrics Philip P. Bliss wrote in 1873 nearly 150 years ago.
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known.
Many mighty men are lost
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host
By joining Daniel’s band.
Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking through the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel’s band.
Hold the Gospel banner high!
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his hosts defy,
And shout for Daniel’s band.
I
have a framed copy of another old hymn with a
similar theme titled “More Men Like Daniel”.
It’s lesser known and in fact I have rarely seen
it in a hymnal. Although written nearly 100
years ago, like all Godly truths, it is "forward
compatible".
“More Men Like Daniel” Neal McAulay/Charles Gabriel © 1922 Homer Rodeheaver
We need more men like Daniel to stand for God
and right;
Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong,
And for the truth will fight.
When those controlled by evil, their base designs pursue,
We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue.
We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show;
Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe.
Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest.
We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test.
We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king;
Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid his shameful death to bring.
But God sent down His angel, His all to guard and shield;
We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield. *
Men clean and strong, who hate the wrong,
And for the truth will fight.
When those controlled by evil, their base designs pursue,
We need more men like Daniel who never prove untrue.
We need more men like Daniel their virtue here to show;
Men bold, sincere, who know no fear when called to face the foe.
Though dangers dark may threaten, they crave not ease or rest.
We need more men like Daniel who boldly stand the test.
We need more men like Daniel whose faith defied the king;
Who knelt and prayed when plans were laid his shameful death to bring.
But God sent down His angel, His all to guard and shield;
We need more men like Daniel whose hearts will never yield. *
“More Men Like Daniel” Neal McAulay/Charles Gabriel © 1922 Homer Rodeheaver
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Dare To Be A Daniel" Video Mennonite Hour Men's Quartet
"Dare To Be A Daniel" Video Mennonite Hour Men's Quartet
"Asleep
in the Light" Video Keith
Green As a comment states, "If John
the Baptist were a musician, this is what he
would sound like."
Another farmhouse
south of Mount Joy. A
large oblong pond that runs parallel to
the house is almost completely covered
with lilies, looking more like pasture
than water.
(Click on photo to
enlarge)
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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