I have been working through the Old Testament for several months now and this last week have re-read the book of Daniel. The stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego are so familiar, yet their message is still so relevant for today.
Four young men, placed in several situations where they were forced to choose between obedience to their God or their earthly ruler; tempted to compromise their faith to save their skin; to go with the flow rather than face persecution.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused to bow to an idol and so were placed in the fiery furnace. God sustained them and used it for His glory, even bringing King Nebuchadnezzar to bless the name of God (Daniel chapter3).
Daniel, pressured to stop praying to his God or be cast into the lion's den, refused and continued to pray and give thanks to God as was his custom. Once again, God delivered His faithful and spared Daniel from the lions; King Darius subsequently made a decree that all men should "fear and tremble before the God of Daniel" (Daniel chapter 6).
How often in today's society do we compromise our faith in order to make life just a little bit easier? Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego could have taken the easy way out, but they were well grounded in their faith and chose to take a stand for their beliefs. I get the impression that compromise was not even an option in their minds.
There is so much compromise today, even among Christians and I wonder if we/they are aware of it. So many 'things' can take precedence in our busy lives and consequently God often gets pushed down our to-do list. How will we respond if our faith is tested? For this reason it is crucial that we establish habits of faithful living as Daniel and his friends did, then perhaps we will have the strength to stand firm during times of testing.
Daniel 10:11 tells us that Daniel was highly esteemed by God, what an honor! I pray that we will each be faithful and obedient, not compromising our faith, therefore pleasing to God.
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