The Effects of Taking a Stand
Friday, October 9, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."
Daniel 1:14-20
Taking a stand always results in greater influence.
Daniel had taken his stand. He refused to eat the king's meat, the meat that was offered to the gods of Babylon. What would happen? He had just defied the king of the greatest empire of that day. The prince of the eunuchs, one of the king's advisors, feared the king's wrath. Seeking to downplay the situation, he begged Daniel to reconsider his comments, accept the food, and step back in line with the rest of the young captives of Israel. But Daniel refused to comply.
When one of Daniel's supervisors heard of this insurrection, he called for Daniel and the three Israelites who stood with him. "What is this I hear? Why do you refuse the meat?" This was the real test. How would Daniel respond? "Sir, I ask a favor of you. Put us to the test. Let us prove whether or not our statements are true. Let us eat greens and drink water while the rest of the captives eat your meat. Then, at the end of ten days, compare us to them and see if we are not healthier." Thinking this proposal over, the supervisor finally agreed to the deal.
Ten days came and went, and Daniel and his friends again stood before the supervisor, only this time they were healthier, stronger, and wiser than the other young men. The supervisor couldn't believe it. Soon Daniel and his friends were known as the wisest, most gifted young people in the kingdom. Even the king knew of their wisdom and consulted them on different matters.
What took Daniel from being one of many captives to one of the king's advisors? What set him apart? Daniel's stand against the meat offered to idols led him to prominence. His stand wasn't a self-centered attempt to create a name for himself; but Daniel chose to do what was right.
Yesterday we learned that God desires us to take a stand in this sin-filled world, and refuse to fall into the devil's temptations. While we are only human beings and may sin, God desires that we would fight temptation. Today, we see the effect of taking a stand for Christ.
Daniel's stand didn't merely affect him; it affected his friends, fellow captives, supervisors, and ultimately the king. Because Daniel did what was right, he was given the opportunity, by God, to minister to people he would have never been near had he not done what was right.
Taking a stand always results in greater influence. Simply going along with society and following the flow of the world has no affect, but standing for Christ and swimming against the corruption of the culture will bring blessing and opportunity to witness for God.
What would happen if you took a stand at work and decided not to waste time, partake in office gossip, or tell jokes with the rest of the guys? What would happen if rather than listening to the gossip of friends you decided to talk of God's work in your life? Yes, some people may ostracize you and label you as "fanatic," but God will be able to use you to influence others like He used Daniel.
As you take a stand against sin again today, submit to God's plan to use you to influence others for Him. Just as Daniel was used to influence the king, God desires to use you to influence others, but you first must take a stand!
Friday, October 9, 2009
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."
Daniel 1:14-20
Taking a stand always results in greater influence.
Daniel had taken his stand. He refused to eat the king's meat, the meat that was offered to the gods of Babylon. What would happen? He had just defied the king of the greatest empire of that day. The prince of the eunuchs, one of the king's advisors, feared the king's wrath. Seeking to downplay the situation, he begged Daniel to reconsider his comments, accept the food, and step back in line with the rest of the young captives of Israel. But Daniel refused to comply.
When one of Daniel's supervisors heard of this insurrection, he called for Daniel and the three Israelites who stood with him. "What is this I hear? Why do you refuse the meat?" This was the real test. How would Daniel respond? "Sir, I ask a favor of you. Put us to the test. Let us prove whether or not our statements are true. Let us eat greens and drink water while the rest of the captives eat your meat. Then, at the end of ten days, compare us to them and see if we are not healthier." Thinking this proposal over, the supervisor finally agreed to the deal.
Ten days came and went, and Daniel and his friends again stood before the supervisor, only this time they were healthier, stronger, and wiser than the other young men. The supervisor couldn't believe it. Soon Daniel and his friends were known as the wisest, most gifted young people in the kingdom. Even the king knew of their wisdom and consulted them on different matters.
What took Daniel from being one of many captives to one of the king's advisors? What set him apart? Daniel's stand against the meat offered to idols led him to prominence. His stand wasn't a self-centered attempt to create a name for himself; but Daniel chose to do what was right.
Yesterday we learned that God desires us to take a stand in this sin-filled world, and refuse to fall into the devil's temptations. While we are only human beings and may sin, God desires that we would fight temptation. Today, we see the effect of taking a stand for Christ.
Daniel's stand didn't merely affect him; it affected his friends, fellow captives, supervisors, and ultimately the king. Because Daniel did what was right, he was given the opportunity, by God, to minister to people he would have never been near had he not done what was right.
Taking a stand always results in greater influence. Simply going along with society and following the flow of the world has no affect, but standing for Christ and swimming against the corruption of the culture will bring blessing and opportunity to witness for God.
What would happen if you took a stand at work and decided not to waste time, partake in office gossip, or tell jokes with the rest of the guys? What would happen if rather than listening to the gossip of friends you decided to talk of God's work in your life? Yes, some people may ostracize you and label you as "fanatic," but God will be able to use you to influence others like He used Daniel.
As you take a stand against sin again today, submit to God's plan to use you to influence others for Him. Just as Daniel was used to influence the king, God desires to use you to influence others, but you first must take a stand!
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