When No One Is Looking

Daniel 1:1-17

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king

of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of

Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into

the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the

treasure house of his god. 3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his

eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed,

and of the princes; 4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful

in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as

had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the

learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed them a daily

provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them

three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. 6 Now among

these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 7 Unto

whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of

Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to

Azariah, of Abednego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile

himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank:

therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9

Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the

eunuchs. 10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king,

who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse

liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my

head to the king. 11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had

set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech

thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 13 Then let our

countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat

of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. 14 So he

consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 15 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. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of

their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 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.

Introduction:

Today's message is where the rubber meets the road in the Christian life. Most of us

know how to put our Sunday faces on. We know how we out to dress, the tone our voices

should take, and all the other Christian trappings that we bring to our public worship. The

key is... who are you when no one is looking? If you have trusted Jesus as your personal

Savior, you owe it to Him to live for Him. Most everyone seems like a good person at

first glance. Some of you children and teen agers brought up in a Christian home have

good manners in public... you have not been involved in the sins that your peers have

been, because your loving parents have set limits. But... who will you be when no one is

looking? Who will you be behind closed doors?

Today we will see that there was a teenager who had to face this question in a very

real way. Today we can learn from a young man who knew how to stand up for what is

right... even when no one is looking.

I. There Will Be Times When No One Is Looking.

Daniel 1:3-4

3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring

certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; 4 Children

in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in

knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the

king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the

Chaldeans.

The people of Judah were under siege. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon had them