“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
As we read Daniel 6 we are reminded of the story of Moses in Hebrews 11. Moses, like Daniel, faced a choice. Would he follow God or would he go the way of the world? In Hebrews 11, it details the steps Moses went through to make his decision. Moses
“refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather
to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing
pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” Hebrews 11:24-27 Do you want to stand for God like Daniel? Here is his (and Moses’ and Joshua’s) value system, his thought process.
- He refused Daniel was likely invited by the other administrators to take some of the goods that belonged to the king. They may have justified it – your salary is not appropriate or the king will just misuse it. Daniel refused to rationalize evil.
- He choose Daniel knew what he was doing. He chose to break man’s law when it prohibited him from obeying God’s law. Daniel chose to obey God which meant he had to disobey man’s law
that violated God’s word. Not all laws are sins and there are sins that are not laws. Discernment! - He esteemed Daniel knew his choice would require punishment. Esteem means “first in priority”. Daniel’s number one priority was not his safety, wealth, ease or reputation. It was to obey God regardless of whatever the cost might be.
- He looked How did Daniel avoid the fear of facing lions? His focus was on the reward of pleasing God, not avoiding man’s
threats. Daniel focused on what God’s word required. If a believer focuses on this world and not on Christ, he cannot stand. - He forsook Daniel knew what he was giving up. He was one of the top leaders, slated to be promoted to the number two position in the kingdom. Daniel knew his decision meant that would be gone. Daniel could have compromised God’s truth, maybe prayed in a closet so no one could see him and try to hang onto his job. He would not do that. People knew he stood for God. To back down now would show to others that God was not in control and unworthy to be worshiped. Daniel would take his stand with his God.
- He did not fear Daniel was not terrified of the consequences of his choice. How could he do that? He spent time with his God,
knew His character and knew that He would not allow anything in his life that He did not go through with Daniel. Daniel
knew if God allowed it, it was for good. - He endured Finally Daniel endured. He made his decision and he stuck by it. Satan likely tempted Daniel to back down. He likely brought every type of compromise possible to Daniel’s mind. He would tempt Daniel that backing down a little was really not denying God. Daniel confirmed his decision – he would not deny his Lord – not one iota.
What can we learn? The pain of denying the Lord is excruciating. We only have to look at the Peter’s denial and
watch him weeping in agony to see its consequences. Was it hard for Daniel to stand for God during this test? Maybe but Daniel knew the grief of failing God would be much worse. Daniel esteemed (valued) obeying God. There are never any regrets when we choose to please God.