Daniel: A Constant Faith which does not Compromise

Daniel 1-6

The Account of Daniel: Committed, Consistent, and Constant Faith

I. (1:1-7) Setting and Set-Up

(Context and Culture)

Captivity

Israel-Babylonian empire (King Nebuchadnezzar)

Daniel-around 20 years old;

he along with others were “set aside” for special training and education

Culture-the purpose of King Nebuchadnezzar’s training—his ambition--was to see the young men (youth) like Daniel become full-fledged members/citizens of Babylon. This “program” if you will included five (5 things)

Young men were separated from there families (1:3-4)

Young men were indoctrinated in the language, literature, and culture of the Babylonians

“Indoctrinated”—this is to repeat and idea or belief to someone until they accept it without criticism or question; carries the meaning that over and over again, Daniel was indoctrinated with Babylonian

Education

Law

Culture

gods

Young men were given preferential treatment

Young men were treated like royalty

housing

food

clothes

Young men were enticed with to become citizens of Babylon through royal treatment

These “treatments” were bound to appeal to these young men—young men (who at their young age were):

Impressionable and easily influenced

Young men were ensured security and prosperity in serving Babylon

Young men had there names changed to reflect this new image

This was done to erase attachment to their home nation/religion

Compromise—King Nebuchadnezzar used these practices and others in ways to get Daniel (and his three friends) to compromise their faith

(You and Me)

Captivity-Two (2) things

Apart from relationship with Jesus Christ—a person is held captive by a much more sinister enemy—sin; they are bondage to it, held by it, and controlled by it

Our battle we face today is not a physical enemy, rather it’s against a much more sinister, deceitful, and dangerous enemy—the devil’s. The apostle Paul says this about the enemy we face today:

Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Culture-the goal, aim, and directive of the enemy is to see to it man (you) adopt a lifestyle of worldly living; to be adopted and become citizens of this world-rather than a citizen of heaven; by means of this world and our own sinful nature, the enemy desires you

To be you separated to the things of this world (the systems and beliefs of this world)

To be indoctrinated with a belief system contrary to God’s Word; think of the influence of today’s culture which goes against God’s Word

What are some examples of the world (the enemy) wants to indoctrinate you?

LGBTQ

Same-sex marriage

Abortion

YDY (You Do You)

YOLO (You Only Live Once)

Follow your heart—this may be one of the most deceitful lies the enemy has ever wanted to you buy into

What are the means he will use/has used?

People

Friends

Technology

Social Media

The devil will use whatever means—he will tell and plant whatever lie—he will distort and distract with any means possible to see you be a citizen of this world (this culture) rather than a citizen of heaven)

To find your worth/identity/value in

Money

Popularity

How many likes/followers/views you have

Athleticism

What you look like

Defining love on your terms and not Gods

Immoral relationships/friendships

To find security and prosperity in worldliness rather than godliness

Think about the means by which the world offers security/prosperity

Success

Money

Materialism

Popularity

Remember what John says about the things of this world

1 John 2:15-17 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

To see you bear an image you were never created to bear (the worlds), rather than live in the image you were created for

The image(s) of the world

What others say about you

What you look/dress like

Riches and pleasures of this world

How good you have to be at sports/school

The image you were created in and for—and image which is eternal and will never perish

Genesis 1:26 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;...”

Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.”

Psalm 33:13-15 “The Lord looks from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. From the place of His dwelling He looks On all the inhabitants of the earth; He fashions their hearts individually; He considers all their works.”

Psalm 139:13-14 “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

Compromise-

As a believer-you must know you WILL face the temptation of compromise on your commitment to the Lord; you will and do face an enemy that wants nothing more for you to be like Lot—and compromise yourself into worldly living

So, how can you (we) be a believer—in a culture and society-who’s influence is to adopt you in

In the life of Daniel (in examples in these first 6 chapters) we can and learn about how a constant faith that never compromises, can stand firm

II. (1:8-Number 1) Know what it means to be purposed in heart

Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

“Purposed in your heart”—means to know ahead of time what your convictions will be; to make up one’s mind and, in one’s heart.”

(Context)

This carries the meaning of the inner man, the you of you, so-to-speak.

This, as a whole carries the truth that Daniel made up his mind ahead of time, because of his surrendered heart to believe in God, what God had done, and what God promised to do.

Daniel knew what his convictions would be and was resolute to stand in them.

(You and me)—How can you and me have the same intentionality?

God’s Word

You cannot have a right relationship with Jesus without a right relationship with the Bible

III. (2:14-30—Number 2) Know how to respond in times of hardship

Daniel 2:14 “Then with counsel and wisdom Daniel answered Arioch, the captain of the king’s guard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon;”

Daniel 2:17-18 “Then Daniel went to his house, and made the decision known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions, that they might seek mercies from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his companions might not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.”

Be responsive—not impulsive

Pray and seek counsel

IV. (3:8-12; 16-18—Number 3) Know the purpose of trials

Daniel 3:8-12 “Therefore at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and accused the Jews. They spoke and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “O king, live forever! You, O king, have made a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, harp, lyre, and psaltery, in symphony with all kinds of music, shall fall down and worship the gold image; and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.””

Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.””

Daniel 3:24-25 “Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?” They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.” “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.””

Daniel 3:27 “And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them.”

The purpose of trials is two-fold:

Glorify God

Purify the believer

V. (5:18-23—Number 4) Know what is right and act on it

Daniel 5:18-23 “O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses. “But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you…”

James 4:17 “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

VI.(6:1-9; 10 Know your faith is to be constant)

Daniel 6:1-5 “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.””

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”