“WE CHRISTIANS NEED A DANIEL ATTITUDE” Lesson 188

Daniel was an old fashioned Christian! Customs meant nothing to him! God’s Word meant everything!

Daniel was among the exiles in Babylon; handsome, quick learning, from a family of nobility, and was among the few chosen by the king to serve in the palace. The chief of the king’s court officials was to teach these young men the language and literature of the Babylonians and bring food to them from the king’s own table. Daniel, however, had a spirit of decision, resisting temptations with the right methods. Where there is faith there are trials and simple temptations such as fine food and wine on which the Babylonians dined along with unclean food that went against the Law of Moses. Daniel resolved not to eat the royal food and asked permission not to defile himself this way. What difference does it make what you eat or drink? The food and drink were not the focal points here but rather the religious background of faith in God that Daniel was holding steadfastly to. The first sign that the king intended to change the faith of Daniel was the change to his name from Daniel to Belteshazzar. A change of a man’s name in the bible meant a change of religion and Daniel did not want to meld into a Caldian and give up being an Israelite.

Not only would the change or the giving in to the king’s “suggestions” go against Daniel’s religion but he would become a stumbling block to those captives around him (1 Cor. 10:32-33). Some temptations SEEM to be the road to honor, acceptance and popularity such as the promise of entering the king’s service if and when they completed Babylonian three year training. Would you refuse to give up your God for special service in a king’s palace, a government job or marriage to the very wealthy? Do we let God get in our way to success? Do we give up being a Christian to get along with those around us in the work place, home and even church services? Are we asked to do something against our belief or Christianity or risk losing our jobs, friends or position in life? We should purpose in our heart or resolve not to defile ourselves! We need a Daniel attitude!

The God that created us, saved our souls and has prepared a place for us in Heaven to live eternally with Him has not changed. Should we change toward our thoughts and feelings toward Him? Come out from among them and be separated (2 Cor. 6:17) for we have nothing in common with them. Deny luxuries if they are associated with unclean food and drink which will make you foolish and physically sick (Prov. 20:1, 23:29-35, Isa. 28:7-8) but rather stick to the food that God offers that the world knows nothing about (John 4:32). Remembering that whatever we eat or drink, do it all for the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). We develop a spirit of decision and make up our own minds to keep to the right course that God has set for us. We settle it in our hearts to serve God (Jos. 24:14-15) with determination, not bigotry, with character to support our beliefs. We are to be courteous in our protest against evil, asking for wisdom (James 1:5), having a firmness of purpose with gentleness of manner.

We will have to develop a boldness, putting our faith on the line and let others see we are better off, healthier and better nourished from sustaining from the worldly food (Dan. 1:15). May God give us the courage to stand firm, letting nothing move us from our convictions to serve the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58) and withstand the temptations of this life. Remember that no temptation has seized us except what is common to man. God is faithful not to let us be tempted beyond what we can bear and provides a way out so we can stand (1 Cor. 10:13, Dan. 1:9). Show joy and happiness in faith so that the accusers will not have reason to say that Christians have no fun and are always so unhappy, therefore not drawing the unsaved to Christ through our lives (Prov. 17:22).

Christians have been asked what makes them happy and “what do Christians talk about”? Be a fun Christian, showing great glee at going to heaven, at the same time keeping your feet on the ground, showing love to all around you (Gal. 5:22-25). Be holy as Jesus is holy and gracious to others so that they will say your life is right with God and one that they desire to live. Prove that old fashioned faith produces much love not only enthusiasm (Matt. 5:44, 19:19, John 13:34) as love is the fulfillment of the Law (Rom. 13:10). Grieve for those who are lost without judging, but with mercy, snatching them from the fire to save them (Jude 22-23). Lovers of men are first lovers of God. Prove it! God help us to labor for the conversion of souls abound because the fields are ripe for harvest (John 4:35-38). We who hold to the old fashioned faith should be in better spiritual health than the worldly diners who eat from the king’s table. We have an eternal King that has commanded that we make know the gospel of His truth (Matt. 28:19-20). Father, help us to develop a Daniel attitude, holding to our moral convictions, depending on the strength of God to raise us up at the end of days to receive our allotted inheritance (Dan. 12:13).