Stating True (1) - Developing Strong Convictions Daniel 1;3-19 - September 3, 2023

 

Staying True (1) – Develop Strong Convictions – September 3, 2023

This is lesson one (1) in our series entitled “Staying True in a World Far From GOD.”

Scripture for this study is Daniel 1:3-13, 17-19.

Our convictions, not our circumstances, define who we are.

The Book of Daniel is autobiographical, thus gives us a firsthand overview from the perspective of the prophet Daniel’s life.

We cannot always define our circumstances but we who know the truth, through faith in JESUS, know GOD’S Word and know what the LORD JESUS/GOD would desire for us to do when faced with certain decisions.

We think of physical war but the greatest war being fought now is to conquer the minds of the people of the world. This is Satan’s final attempt to deceive and capture the people of earth. We, as Spirit-born Christians, know from 1 John 4: ² This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, ³ but every spirit that does not confess Jesus^[a] is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming; even now it is already in the world.

⁴ You are from God, little children, and you have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

This study is about young Hebrew men being captured and brought to a foreign land whose King did not worship The GOD of the Hebrews. Four Hebrew young men were selected to participate in King Nebuchadnezzar’s program to teach captives the literature and language of the Babylonians. Those selected were selected based upon the physical conditions as stated in verse 4 — ⁴ young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. 

Was this a time of gloom and doom or opportunity? Wisdom comes from GOD even in captivity. The key is that these young men had grown up under the influence of Judah’s Godly King Josiah. Solid foundations, based upon true teachings from GOD, are valuable when others try to introduce us to that which is false.

This is especially true when our children leave home, to go to college or the work place.

As never, before in these days and the days to come, we who know the truth of GOD, through faith in JESUS, must share truth with our family. Our family must know the truth, as revealed by GOD through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We must live and teach the truth to our family and to others. A solid Spiritual foundation is vital when we face difficult times and such times are coming as we approach the second coming of JESUS.

What must the enemy of GOD, Satan, do in his last efforts to defeat JESUS? It is to make the people of earth believe a lie. Twist God’s Word so it does not appear to be true but False. That is why Spirit-born people must know the truth that is in GOD’S Word.

In our study, the Babylonians captured Jerusalem and carted off its people. This was the physical capture of people but the people of today face an enemy that captures our minds. One such enemy is our electronic devices. I quickly add that I am NOT saying we have to give up electronic devices but we must control the time we spend on them. But of greatest importance is the capture and control of our minds or mindsets. GOD’S Word must be taught by every pastor, teacher, parent, person who knows the truth to all people but especially to our children and youth. Why?

The question is, will Babylon change the youth of Judah or will they change the people of Babylon? How did those who knew the One True GOD then or since JESUS’ passion function during the days of evil?

Some may think or say, we won’t face such times, oh really? What do we read in Matthew 24:24 - For false messiahs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

We, who know the truth, must prepare ourselves and those our LORD brings our way, so that during evil times the LORD’S work carries on.  

Let’s read Daniel 1:3-7:

Daniel’s Captivity in Babylon

1 In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar^[a] of Babylon came to Jerusalem and laid siege to it. ² The Lord handed King Jehoiakim of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels from the house of God. Nebuchadnezzar carried them to the land of Babylon,^[b] to the house of his god,^[c] and put the vessels in the treasury of his god.

³ The king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the Israelites from the royal family and from the nobility— ⁴ young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive, and capable of serving in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the Chaldean language and literature. ⁵ The king assigned them daily provisions from the royal food and from the wine that he drank. They were to be trained for three years, and at the end of that time they were to attend the king.^[d] 6 Among them, from the Judahites, were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. ⁷ The chief eunuch gave them names; he gave the name Belteshazzar to Daniel, Shadrach to Hananiah, Meshach to Mishael, and Abednego to Azariah.

Let’s read Daniel 1:8-13:

Faithfulness in Babylon                    

⁸ Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank. So, he asked permission from the chief eunuch not to defile himself. ⁹ God had granted Daniel kindness and compassion from the chief eunuch, ¹⁰ yet he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink. What if he sees your faces looking thinner than the other young men your age? You would endanger my life^[e] with the king.”

Excellent concern!

¹¹ So Daniel said to the guard whom the chief eunuch had assigned to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then examine our appearance and the appearance of the young men who are eating the king’s food, and deal with your servants based on what you see.”

Wisdom comes from GOD!

Let’s read Daniel 14-16:

¹⁴ He agreed with them about this and tested them for ten days. ¹⁵ At the end of ten days they looked better and healthier^[f] than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. ¹⁶ So the guard continued to remove their food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables.

Let’s read Daniel 1:17-21:

Faithfulness Rewarded

¹⁷ God gave these four young men’s knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind. ¹⁸ At the end of the time that the king had said to present them, the chief eunuch presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹ The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So, they began to attend the king. ²⁰ In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times^[g] better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom. ²¹ Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Christian brothers and sisters, we who know the truth must share the truth as GOD gives us opportunity. Why? Satan is training his followers to deceive. GOD’s Word is truth and stands against all false teachings that is why Satan’s plans are to compromise it.

Stand firm upon the rock, GOD’S Word and watch as Satan’s battle plans unfold.

Blessings!!!