Success in a pagan society.

As we observed in the book of Isaiah, this nation cannot longer be called a Christian nation. Sin is rampant, membership in true Christian churches has declined year after, abortion has killed millions of babies, immorality and idolatry, in all aspects of it, are unbelievable.

God’s desire for His children is that they flourish in this life. For a believer, a successful life consist of flourishing in their faith, in their work, and in their society.

We have been called to shine in the midst of this darkness, to influence people for Christ.

Do you want to be successful and of influence in those around you? What should you do? We find the answer in Daniel 1

Read Dan 1 and pray.

What should you do to succeed and influence others?

Depend on the Lord for success.

Remember that:

He gives or takes away positions.

“The Lord gave [Nebuchadnezzar] the victory over king Jehoiakim of Judah...” 2

A central truth in the book of Daniel is that the Lord is in control:

Daniel 2:21 NASB95

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men And knowledge to men of understanding.

He gave power to Nebuchadnezzar and, when became proud, He sent him to live like the animals for seven years. He gave the kingdom to Belshazzar and, when he profaned the utensils of the Jewish Temple, the Lord snatched his power and gave it to Darius, the Mede.

I have seen people whose jobs or positions have been taking away by the Lord because they were no obeying Him.

He gives you grace before others.

“God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officias,” 9

“God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel.” 9 NLT

This world is used to seek crooked, irresponsible, and disrespectful employees, but employers are surprised when they Daniels, Hananiahs, Mishaels, and Azariahs.

When you are faithful to the Lord, are an honest person, and a dedicated worker, the Lord will give grace before your employers.

He gives you the understanding.

“As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom;” 17

“As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.” 20

Intelligence and understanding are given by God. The problem is that you have believed the devil’s lie that you are not intelligent.

Seek it from the right source, seek it God!

“Start your day with a prayer, ask for wisdom, ask for understanding. Do not aspire to make a living. Aspire to make a difference.” Denzel Washington

When you are pressured by a paper you have to write or an exam to take, and you feel your mind is obstructed, ask God and He will open your understanding.

James 1:5 NASB95

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

Preparation is key for success.

Proverbs 21:31 NASB95

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.

“Victory is given by the Lord!”

Our job is to prepare “our horse” or be prepared, but no matter how prepared we are, let’s never forget that our success is in His hands. He is the one who open doors and the one who close them too.

How should you prepare for success?

Enrich your life with knowledge.

“Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment,” 4a

If you want to be successful and influence people you must know a little about everything. When you are a generalist, you can have conversations with almost anyone.

The best way to enrich your life with knowledge is by reading. ¡Those who read, know!

Sadly, reading is a practice that is disappearing. ¡People hate to read! They spend their time playing games on the phone or tablet, but never open a book. They are wasting precious time that could be use to enrich their life with knowledge.

Learn a second language.

“Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 4b.

As immigrant, if you want to be successful, you must speak and read the language of the culture where you live. Hebrew was their native language, but they had to speak, read, and write Babylonian (Chaldean).

If you do not speak English, you will not advance much in this country.

Speaking two or more languages is a tremendous blessing. Languages open doors!

Paul, the apostle, was fluent in Hebrew, Greek, and probably in Latin. That helps us to understand his great evangelistic success.

Bilingual people are paid more than those who speak only one language.

If your parents are immigrants, you must speak their language well!

It is shame that those “Pedro Perez’s” who were born into a Spanish speaking family claim that they do not speak Spanish.

Parents, do a favor to your children: require them to learn your language!

How can I do it? Can I force them? Teach them to read the Bible in your language. Do not answer when they speak in English. You will see how soon they learn!

Go to school.

“They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.” 5b

If you want to be successful and influence others, you cannot underestimate the importance of education. There are some cases of success without finishing college, but they are the exception, not the rule.

The king would not use them until they graduated from “Babylon National University”. Three years of full time training! That’s the time our Lord spent training His disciples.

“I am convinced that people that advances is the people who effort themselves more than the average. They wake up earlier, study more, and work harder. Those people are not lucky… They have discipline.” slide

Finish you High School! Do not rush to get a job because it will distract you from studying. Rush to be accepted at a college! Study is an investment for your future!

“I do not like to study!”, some say. There are many things we do in life, not because we like them, but because we need them. Study is one of those!

It is better to effort yourself for four years and work easy the rest of your life than to take those four years easy and work hard the rest of your life.

“Play now, pay later; or pay now, play later!”

Do not conform to the world.

Romans 12:2 NASB95

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

The king’s intention was that these young men were fully absorbed by the culture. But that included doing things contrary to their faith.

I have seen many Christians yield to the desires of their bosses or friends and accept or do things against what God clearly teaches in the Word.

If you want to succeed and shine in this pagan society, you must determine to honor your God.

Determine to honor your God.

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine he drank;” 8

God had given His people dietary laws. He established what they could eat and what not.

If Judah was exiled in Babylon was because they had disobeyed God in many areas, especially in idolatry. The Babylonians food was not kosher and they sacrificed to their idols.

Determination to obey God is crucial for our spiritual life. Such determination is made before you go seek for a job, not after you have accepted a job that will hinder you from obeying God.

Such determination has been the key in my life. At the very moment I gave my life to Jesus, I told God, “I am going to obey You no matter what, with my wife of without her”.

Be willing to take a risk with faith.

Daniel knew that they could be killed for refusing the king’s order. It was either obeying or taking the risk. He took the risk!

He asked for permission from the commander.

“Please test you servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youth who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 12-13

God gave them such grace with the commander that he was willing to risk his life for them: He said, “I am afraid of my lord the king” If your request does not function, then you make me forfeit my head to the king.” 10