Conviction

CONVICTION:

INTRODUCTION: DANIEL WAS A YOUNG MAN FROM JUDAH, THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM. GOD GAVE HIM A SUPERNATURAL GIFT OF PREDICTING THE FUTURE. HE HAD THREE COURAGEOUS FRIENDS, SHADRACH, MESHACH AND ABEDNEGO. HE EXPERIENCED ENCOUNTERS WITH THE FOLLOWING RULERS: NEBUCHADNEZZAR, BELSHAZZAR AND DARIUS. CONSIDERED A MAJOR PROPHET, HE WROTE AROUND 530 B.C. DANIEL (GOD IS MY JUDGE) WAS FORCED TO CHANGE HIS NAME TO BELTESHAZZAR WHILE IN CAPTIVITY. HIS THREE FRIENDS EXPERIENCED A NAME CHANGE ALSO.

INTERPRETATION: DANIEL 1: 9 (NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE) NOW GOD GRANTED DANIEL FAVOR AND COMPASSION IN THE SIGHT OF THE COMMANDER OF THE OFFICIALS. DANIEL 1:9 (THE BOOK-PARAPHRASE) BUT DANIEL MADE UP HIS MIND NOT TO DEFILE HIM BY EATING THE FOOD AND WINE GIVEN THEM BY THE KING.

POINTS TO PONDER:

DANIEL AND HIS THREE COMPANIONS ASKED TO BE EXCUSED FROM THE KINGS RICH FOOD. SOME OF THE FOOD COMPONENTS WERE FORBIDDEN UNCLEAN UNDER JEWISH LAW. THE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE REFUSED THEIR REQUEST BUT ULTIMATELY CONCEDED TO DANIEL’S REQUEST. DANIEL MAY HAVE BEEN CONCERNED THAT EATING THE KING’S TRADITIONAL FOODS WOULD SUGGEST ENDORSEMENT OF A PAGAN KINGS.

IN SPITE OF THE PRESSURE TO CONFORM, DANIEL AND HIS COMPANIONS REFUSED TO COMPROMISE. THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY RISKY CHOICE AND COULD HAVE MEANT IMPRISONMENT OR DEATH.

DANIEL AND HIS FRIENDS RESOLVED TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE LORD. GOD MOVED ON DANIEL’S BEHALF AND HE FOUND FAVOR IN THE KING’S COURT ALONG WITH HIS THREE COMPANIONS.

READ PSALMS 5:12

APPLICATION: FIRM CONVICTION MUST BE EVIDENT IN YOUR CHRISTIAN WALK!