LEARNING DAILY

Daniel 1:21, And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were taken the King Nebuchadnezzar after their training was complete. He interviewed them and found they were far superior, ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in his realm, states Daniel 1:20). And then verse 21 states Daniel lived until the first year of King Cyrus – that was almost 70 years. That is an amazing statement of Daniel’s determination to stay committed to God among the Babylonian existence.

Do not forget the Babylonian culture that was evil and the opposite of what God desired His people to live like. But Daniel and the three Hebrews show that because the culture one lives in does not mean one needs to compromise their beliefs to fit into those around them. Not only in the book of Daniel, but throughout the Bible God has shown He has His own ways of watching over His people when they remain faithful to Him and do not compromise. Daniel 1:9 shows it was God who gave Daniel favor with the chief of the eunuchs who held him captive. In verse 17, it was “God who gave them knowledge, and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams”. God committed himself to help them when they determined to not compromise their faith in Him.

Daniel is an encouragement to stay persistent in our faith while living in a culture that does not want to tolerate Christianity in a biblical, God-centered lifestyle. It is more and more obvious that there are many who do not want the religious liberties that have been at the center of this country’s existence to exist any longer. Daniel lived his live in a way that influenced kings, and I imagine each person he came in contact with. He had influence, that is for certain! Is that not how every Believer should live their life? Should not people who come in contact with a Believer recognize something different about them, and perhaps want to know what it is?

Believers live in a world that is like the Babylon Daniel lived. Like the time of Daniel, God is not somewhere else with no knowledge of what is happening here. There are those who would want people to believe God is not involved with the events of human history. No! He is right here with every Believer, like Daniel, who will not compromise their beliefs in Him. Yes, Believers live in a world that is out of control and doing everything it can to remove God from everything. False religion, idolatry, philosophy, science, astrology, deception of all kinds is being pushed on people every day – just like Nebuchadnezzar pushed on Daniel and friends. The educational system at all levels is pushing on a radical, antichristian curriculum with the objective to reeducate students to believe Satan’s agenda.

But Daniel’s God is the God of all Believers! He never changes!  For Daniel that meant he prayed, studied the Word of God, and he did not compromise in whatever work he did. Daniel 1:8 is the stand all Believers must take, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”! He continued without compromise; he never gave up and never stopped regardless of if it meant going to a lion’s den.

Purpose in your heart today what you are going to do when tempted, when the trial comes, when the unexpected happens, to know that it is never wrong to do what is right! Purpose in your heart, right now, to continue walking the narrow way with God whatever the culture, those around you say or command you to do. Remember that the Lord Jesus Christ is right beside you!

“And Daniel was there” or “Thus Daniel continued” (New King James Version). Replace Daniel’s name in the verse with your name today.