People in the Bible Who Pleased God – Daniel (and His Companions)

    After Nebuchadnezzar (the king of Babylon, Daniel 1:1) besieged Jerusalem*, he instructed his master of eunuchs, Ashpenaz, to bring some of the young Israelite men back to Babylon (1:3). From the list of qualifications given to Ashpenaz, we can conclude that Daniel and his three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were: of royal or noble descent (1:3, of the sons of Judah, 1:6), young, without blemish, good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, and had ability to serve in the king’s palace. They were brought to serve the king of Babylon and to be taught the language and literature of the Chaldeans (1:4, Babylon belonged to the Chaldean dynasty).

*This was 370 years after King Solomon built the temple. After Solomon the kingdom was divided (1 Kings 11:1-13) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah lived under 20 kings (some good, some bad) before being carried off into Babylonian captivity. The books of Jeremiah and Lamentations were written during Nebuchadnezzar’s siege on Jerusalem, his breach of its walls, and his looting of the temple (2 Chronicles 36:15-21, 2 Kings 25:1-5, 8-17).  

    We know that God does not look at the outward appearance, as man does, He looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), and God saw young men who were determined not to defile themselves while being in Babylonian captivity (see Daniel 1:5-16). God blessed Daniel by bringing him into favour and goodwill with the chief of the eunuchs (1:9) and by making he and his friends healthier than those who ate what the king supplied (1:15). He gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom, and beyond these blessings God gave Daniel understanding in all visions and dreams (1:17).

    Daniel’s friends are not mentioned beyond chapter three, but what is said of them is worthy of study, so take time to read how they, with Daniel, sought God’s mercies (2:11-19), and how God blessed Shadrach (Hananiah), Meshach (Mishael), and Abed-Nego (Azariah) for their unwavering faith and refusal to bow to a carved image of the king in Daniel 3:1-30. Note the promotions they received in the province of Babylon (2:46-49, 3:30).

    Throughout his lifetime, Daniel kept his determination to not become defiled while living in a pagan nation. When jealous men sought to bring him down because he was favoured by the king, Daniel kept to his habit of opening his windows toward Jerusalem to pray and give thanks to God three times a day (6:3-10), knowing full well it meant that he would be thrown into a den of lions (6:10-20). God blessed him and wholly protected him from harm (6:21-23).

“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (Daniel 6:22 NKJV)

    Daniel’s faithful example caused kings who worshiped many false gods to acknowledge the one true God; to bless Him, praise Him, and to declare His power, dominion, and might (2:47, 3:28-29, 4:1-3; 34-37). His immovable faith caused one ruler (Darius, king of the Medes, 6:2) to make an unchangeable decree (6:8, 15) that in every dominion of his kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel (6:26).   

    Daniel was mentioned, by the LORD, as a man of righteousness (along with Noah and Job, see Ezekiel 14:14 and 20). He remained righteous while living the rest of his adult life in a foreign land, and while serving under rulers who did not regularly acknowledge God. Daniel is a man who pleased God in his determination to remain undefiled by the world around him.

What can we learn from Daniel and his companions?            

    We can live righteously before God, even in an ungodly nation (2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 2 Peter 2:13-17, 1 John 3:1-3, 7). We are to pray to God and earnestly beg Him, as we make intercession for, and give thanks for the governments that we live under (1 Timothy 2:1-4). We are not to rise up against those in authority (Romans 13:1-7), we are to humbly submit to God and do what He has asked us to do – His blessings cannot be blocked or held back by any oppressive leader or regime. Remember, there is no law against the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), so let us continue to walk in the Spirit and serve God, and we will be blessed (Proverbs 16:13, 22:11, Matthew 5:44-48, Colossians 3:22-24).  

    People are going to exalt others and pressure us to join in worshiping* them – be it a social media influencer, a singer, a celebrity, or a religious speakers/political leader – we need to be determined not to defile ourselves with what the world exalts (Ephesians 4:17-24, Colossians 3:1-4, 2 Peter 2:18-22). Daniel’s companions didn’t organize a rally, start a petition, or incite a riot; they simply chose to remain standing with God in obedience to His commands (Exodus 20:4-6). We were created to seek God (Acts 17:26-27) and to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9). He is to be our only guide (Proverbs 3:5-8, Matthew 7:21-23). He is to be our hope and strength (Psalm 33:20-22, Romans 15:13, Ephesians 6:10-18). We are to desire to be in His presence (Psalm 27:4-5, 8; 122:1, 2 Peter 3:11-18, Psalm 17:15).

*Anyone who we think about more than God; who we spend more time following/learning about/learning from, anyone whose actions/activities guide our decisions (ex: choosing to see them over going to worship/Bible study) is someone whom we worship. And, yes, some have exalted religious speakers to a place where whatever they say is accepted without further investigation or study (as opposed to Acts 17:11); they are given an almost ‘celebrity’ status and people will fill van loads, driving for miles to hear them night after night, but these same people can hardly bring themselves to support a Bible lesson series being taught by a little known (or local) preacher one night out of the week.

    We may go through fiery trials, but God will be with us (1 Peter 1:3-9). When we draw near to God, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Take time to read Psalm 34 – God will not forsake us, He hears the cries of the righteous – He will strengthen us, comfort us, and deliver us (Psalm 46:1-11, 50:15, 1 Peter 5:9-11, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Consider how God helped Paul, as described in 2 Timothy 4:17-18.

    We can lead others to consider God and His way when we faithfully obey God (Daniel 6:16-23) Wives with submissive and chaste conduct (gentle and quiet spirits) may, without a word, win their unbelieving husbands to Christ (1 Peter 3:1-4). When we abstain from fleshly lusts and conduct ourselves honourably in the world, we may cause those who want to speak evil of us to come to a place of glorifying God instead because of the good we do as we humbly serve Him (Matthew 5:16, Philippians 2:14-16, 1 Peter 2:11-12, Romans 6:13, 17-18). When we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, transformed by the renewing of our mind, we can prove to others that God’s will is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2, also consider Deuteronomy 6:24-25).

    We, too, live in a time of captivity – the world is held captive under the sway of the devil (1 John 5:19) – but the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true (1 John 5:20); we can find out what is acceptable to God (Ephesians 5:8-10), and we can understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17) and we can practice righteousness every single day (Matthew 6:33, 1 John 2:3-6; 3:7, James 1:21-25). Our determination to remain faithful to God, to take a stand for Him, and not be defiled with the world and its ways, may encourage someone else who sees our continuing, humble obedience to consider God, and they may even choose to begin obeying Him with us! Let’s point them in the right direction, and determine to show them that God’s way is the BEST way!

You can do it! So can I!! 

"God of...gods"

    This term describing God is found five times in four passages of the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 10:17, Joshua 22:22, Daniel 2:47, and Daniel 11:36

    Upon first seeing this description one may wonder, ‘Does this give credence to gods?’ but, we know that gods are useless figures sculpted by men’s hands (Psalm 115:3-8, 135:15-18, and Jeremiah 10); this term “God of gods,” instead, openly declares God to be Supreme God over every created thing.  

“Inasmuch as there is none like you, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might), who would not fear You, O King of the nations? For this is Your rightful due. For among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like You. But they are altogether dull-hearted and foolish; a wooden idol is a worthless doctrine… they are all the work of skillful men, but the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King, at His wrath the earth will tremble, and the nations will not be able to endure His indignation.” (Jeremiah 10:6-8,9b-10 NKJV)

    While gods are useless, we still have the capability of setting them up in our lives: seeking after wealth, careers, status, our houses/cars, collections, hobbies, children, boyfriend/husband, even our own self. These can all be elevated in our hearts/minds to the point of coming in between us and God and our service to Him. Why devote all your time and trust in what is temporary when you can develop your trust in and allegiance to the everlasting God of gods?

    God is the Supreme God, the very Creator of the heavens and earth! He was and is and will be. He is worthy of your time and devotion! Take an honest look at your heart and realign your priorities so that there are not any obstacles between you and the God of heaven – He is worthy of our every effort and every sacrifice!!

You can do it! So can I!!   

Nature: The Tenacious Mustard Seed

    "...I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, 

you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' 

and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." 

(Matthew 17:20 NKJV)

    As we continue our theme of Nature, I would like you to consider the tiny mustard seed. The photo at the bottom of this post shows mustard seeds. They are, individually, about the size of the head of a dressmaker's pin.

    Throughout the Bible we can read of God using lowly items (in man's estimation) to do or exemplify great things.

    For example:

• A spoken word - the earth and heavens were created (Genesis 1-2)
• A leader's rod - awe-inspiring miracles in Egypt (Exodus 4-14)
• A simple red rope - salvation from Jericho's destruction (Joshua 2:1-24; 6:22-23)
• An army of only 300 men - conquered over 135,000 men (Judges 7)
• A leather sling and a smooth stone - an enemy giant is felled (1 Samuel 17)
• Faith as a mustard seed - can move mountains (Matthew 17:20)

    A mustard seed is tiny, but it is known to have great tenacity. Tenacity means persistence, determination, perseverance. I have heard that a mustard seed can grow and develop in the harshest of conditions. They are hearty and their determination to sprout will in many ways "move mountains." They will crack the great rocks that they are growing up through. They will lift and crack concrete that has been set over them in their determined pursuit of development.

    You may feel small in comparison to the seemingly mountainous obstacles you face in your path, but God encourages you to keep trying, to keep trusting, to keep growing! He is near to you and wants you to lean on Him (James 4:7-8).

    Let your faith be like the determined mustard seed. Take root in the gospel of Christ and drink nourishment from the bottomless wells of God's love and provision. Seek the SON, lift your face toward Him!

    This makes me think of the lovely passage in Psalm 27; verse 8 says, "When You said, "Seek My face", my heart said to You, "Your face Lord, I will seek.""

    Continue to seek the Lord's face this week. Let your perseverance and determination to do God's will fuel your continuing development as a Christian. Flourish in your faith! Be a tenacious mustard seed!!

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 

rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, 

as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

(Colossians 2:6-7 NKJV)

You can do it! So can I!!