A month from yesterday I was at a young adults group at Copper Pointe Church. This was the first time I had ever gone alone and I don’t remember why my best friend couldn’t come. I almost didn’t go but had reminded myself that I wasn’t going for friends I was going to praise my Father and learn about His greatness. Once worshiped started I knew that I needed to be there.
Service began and we were in the middle of a series called Marked. I had missed the following week so I had no idea what to expect. The Pastor had opened with Romans 12 The Marks of a Good Christian, focusing on Romans 12:9-10 “Don’t pretend to love others, really love them. Hate what is wrong, hold tightly to what is good.”
He made a statement “The things we hate we avoid. If you are not avoiding sin, then you don’t hate sin.” Isn’t that so true. But how do you avoid sin? Its everywhere and in our everyday lives. You have to cling to God, go deeper into his word and keep your eyes on him.
The pastor then went on, the perfect example of this is Daniel. During the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, Ordered Ashpenaz (chief of court officials) to bring Israelites from the royal family back to Babylon. “young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.” Daniel 1:4
So king Nebs provided housing and food. Food being animal meat and wine. Well this was a problem for the Israelites, it was against their religion to eat anything that had been an offering to other gods. Daniel then asked Ashpenaz if they would be served vegetables and water instead of the kings food. He gained the respect from Ashpenaz but there was a slight problem, Penaz could get in trouble for letting these four look weaker to the king than the rest. Daniel then told him, “12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.” Daniel 1:12-16 Daniel knew that God would provide and by doing this he was honoring Him.
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12 Daniel prayed everyday and trusted in the Lord. While learning and participating in Babylon Daniel protected the way he thought. Daniel never did anything that would go against God and he never conformed to society. He still participated and possibly even dressed like them but he never let them influence his mind. ‘ once you change your thoughts to conform to society then you’re in danger.’ You always have the decision to go with the flow or go with the bible. (GO WITH THE BIBLE) (i mean if the flow is to get ice cream or a dog you maybe wanna check the bible then go do both 😉 but hey thats just me…)
My pastor made a really cool point and it makes you think.
Are you a thermostat or a thermometer?
You can change the temperature on the thermostat, you have control over your decisions and how it effects you and others around you. Or are you a thermometer? Someone who only tells the temperature, who is controlled by the surroundings around them.
Daniel clinged to God and God came down and had his back. God will never leave you. Repeat that. Now repeat it again. If you cling onto God and his word, and obey and trust in him God will reward you.
How can we be like Daniel? ( my pastor gave pointers)
1. Determination
Daniel had some grit. He woke up every day determined not do bad things. You need to have that mind set right when you wake up because then you start with it in your mind. Its kinda like breakfast most important meal of the day. Well this is kinda the most important thought of the day 🙂
2. Faith
Faith is Courage. You need to have the courage to do what is right. If you have faith in God what is there to be afraid of? Philippians 4:13 ” I can do all things through christ who gives me strength.”
3. Perseverance
You decide now but you do it everyday of your life. Nobody can tell you what to do about your God only your God can.
Daniel was a pretty cool guy. He always loved, never lied, had a crazy life of ups and downs (way worse then ours) but never once doubted God. I hope you strive to be like Daniel.
