Perfectly Displaced: Faith is Rewarded

Last week: Babylon besieged Jerusalem, took temple vessels, and removed noble young men.

Gave Daniel and his three friends each new names.

READ (DANIEL 1:8-21)

Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah were in a situation of temptation.

To live according to their own desire with no accountability.

1. Faithfulness is Pre-Determined.

When presented with the choice of eating food dedicated to foreign gods, Daniel determined that he would stick with God.

He made the decision before the situation unfolded.

Partaking would have been to sanction idolatry.

Daniel was the leader of these captive youths who chose to be resistent to Babylonian culture.

Instead of starting a revolt, Daniel ask for permission...

He accepted the new name, education, but chose to protest this one issue respectfully.

Red Sox double header.

Babylon is dangling self-worship in front of your face.

To honor God requires a pre-determined decision to respond faithfully.

But you get to decide how that response is directed.

Faithful protest comes from a healthy relationship with God.

2. Faith in God Can Withstand Times of Testing.

There were risks to Daniels desire not to defile himself.

He appealed to the guard and proposed a test.

God showed up after Daniels obedience.

The other Hebrew men ate happily. Daniel handled the situation differently.

“He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.” - (Deuteronomy 8:3)

This illustrates that Daneil knew how to depend on God.

Favor rested on the men.

When the test was over, they were healthier than the other men.

A small act of discipline, out of loyalty and principle, set God’s servants in line for his approval and blessing.

Parents, why should we care about the small things? (Studying, cleanliness, respecting others, etc.)

God blesses our small acts of obedience.

“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.” - (Luke 16:10)

If you aren’t dependable in small things, you’re not likely to be dependable in more significant ones.

Principles matter. Live by them and trust God to set you in the right place.

When we stand on solid ground, storms won’t move us.

3. Faith is Rewarding

God supplied more than physical health to men.

Wise men were expected to understand the literature of the day and perceive visions and dreams.

God provided the men 10 times more understanding than anyone else.

They were given favor near the throne of King Nebuchadnezzar. Over the magicians and mediums.

“magicians” - scribes skilled in sacred writings.

“mediums” - “enchanters, concealers” Practiced occult arts.

God himself blessed the Hebrew youths in the foreign courts. Through their activities, God would be glorified.

They were not popular among their peers.

But Daniel’s life and influence would last through it all.

Luck - “You’re so lucky to have what you have.”

Christians do not based success on luck. We strive to walk in favor.

Daniel trusted God over Babylon out of faithfulness and God chose to reward his servant. Daniel would have obeyed even if the test failed.

Favor is knowing God’s hand is upon you for salvation.

We seek to live our lives to work hard, succeed in society, and bless lives for the glory of God alone.

“And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” - (Colossians 3:15-17)

God’s grace is the reward. Favor is the overflow of an authentic relationship with Jesus.