6 Lessons from Daniel Chapters 1-3
18:18:00
I have been sitting on this post for quite a while and I am really excited and happy to share what The Lord has laid on my heart. Recently the church that I attend in Canterbury, New Life Pentecostal Church, has been going through the book of Daniel. So far we have been through Chapters 1-3. Can I just say that I was very excited that they were going through this book as Daniel is one of my favourite Bible characters, and also one of my favourite books in the Bible. In my study time I have been reading and there’s been quite a lot of things that stood out to me.
Stand firm in your decisions
For days I was meditating on this one verse in Daniel 1:8 ‘’ But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.’’. I dissected the word ''determined’’ just so I could get a better understanding, and the word determined as defined in the Colin’s dictionary means to be firm in a decision or to be resolved, or purposeful. Now Daniel purposed in his heart not to eat of the Kings food and defile himself. He didn't do this to please himself, he did this to ultimately honour God. And this is very encouraging as we are not here on earth to please man but to please God. We have to stand firm in the decisions that we make and just like Daniel be determined not to defile ourselves with the things of this world. Yes, there are a lot of things that look fun and as they say the grass is greener on the other side (I think not). But what if that fun stuff does not please God? Will you then compromise and ignore the commitment and the decision that you made to follow the Lord? Just like Daniel we must choose to not defile ourselves and stand firm in the decisions and the choices that we make.
There is power in togetherness
I liked the fact that Daniel did not forget or rather neglect his friends. Daniel went to his friends and told them what they needed to do in order for them to saved from being killed see Daniel 1:17-18. This reminds me of the scripture in Philippians 2:4 ''Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others’’. As believers in Christ, having that solid friendship with your brothers and sisters in Christ is very important. The body of Christ is meant to be unified and not separated. We are to work together to build up the Kingdom of God as there is power in working together and being unified. When we lift others up our heart is much more at peace than when we seek to elevate ourselves. Being selfish will hinder you from the blessings that the Lord has in store for you.
God is working
God was still at work in the lives of these four Hebrew boys. The other Hebrews fell short in the way that they participated in all the things that the Babylonian Empire provided. God was still working in the lives of these disobedient Hebrew people to bring them to repentance, and to show His grace. Grace means God showing favour and blessings on those people who do not even deserve it, in other words His unmerited favour. God did not forget Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In fact, He increased the knowledge and wisdom He had already given them and also allowed Daniel to gain favour in the site of various people see Daniel 1:9. You may be going through a difficult situation right now, but I want to encourage you that God is still working. He may be silent but He is still working. His word says that He has a plan for you, a plan to prosper you and to keep you, to give you a hope and a future -Jeremiah 29:11. Trust God in whatever waiting season that you are in. His plans and His timing are always good and perfect.
Wisdom comes from God and not man
Daniel and his friends were wise not because of their own knowledge and wisdom but because of the wisdom they received from God. Wisdom comes to those who put God’s word into practice and not just merely listen the words. You and I have to be obedient when it comes to the word of God. And as the word says in James 1:22 that we should be doers of the word rather than being listeners. In Proverbs 2:6 we can see where it is the Lord that gives wisdom and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. God’s wisdom comes to all those who seek it diligently and whole heartedly and ask for it in faith. James 1:5 says that if we need wisdom that we should ask for it and the Lord will give it to you. We need His wisdom when we are making decision, dealing with difficult situations and knowing what to do and how to go about our daily lives in general. Honestly, sometimes we can make some silly decisions because there’s a lack of wisdom. The Lord is always willing to give us what we ask for according to His will. Seeking wisdom from God is so important, so why don’t you ask Him today to give you His wisdom?
Faith even in the difficult times
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego! These three Hebrew boys stood firm in their faith. They were like yeah Nebuchadnezzar, you want to throw us into the fire, go ahead because guess what the Lord that we serve will deliver us and even if He doesn't we still aren't going to bow down and worship the gods you serve (Daniel 3:17-18). I admire these three boys so much! They were willing to die for the Lord, (Exodus 20:3-5). This must have been a difficult time for them as they were surrounded by so many people who chose to neglect God and give in to the pleasures of the Babylonian Empire. Imagine being in the shoes of these three boys. Would you give in or would you stand firm in your faith? The faith of these three Hebrew boys shows that God can and will deliver us from any trials that we have (ultimately building our character and faith-Romans 5:3-5). Even in your trials and problems the Lord is always there with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you, He will sustain you and He will deliver you from your problems. So continue to have faith and trust Him, that’s all He is asking us to do. Psalm 55:22-Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you;he will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Sovereignty of God
The main point I got from these three chapters was about the Sovereignty of God. God used Nebuchadnezzar for him to see what would happen in the days to come of the kings who would rule Babylon (and also of a Kingdom that will last forever, which is the Kingdom that the Lord will establish). The Lord planned everything that would happen to Daniel and his friends and the state of Babylon and He orchestrated all the events that took place, from the dreams to the burning fire (Daniel 1-3). God’s supreme power was shown to Nebuchadnezzar who was an unbeliever (Daniel 3:28). To be sovereign is to possess supreme power and authority so that one is in complete control and can accomplish whatever he pleases. The Lord is in complete control over our lives. He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 135:6) and no one can stop His plans. Also the way how you deal with your problems and trials (by having faith in the Lord) can reveal the Supreme power of God to unbelievers. Just like these three boys, by our actions and how we respond to certain things, people should be able to recognize and know that we are children of the God.
Thank you so much for reading and I pray that The Lord continues to bless you all and stir up in your spirit a desire to continually seek Him.
Love and blessings
Shelly
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