Bible Thoughts August 13, 2000
“Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and
satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him"(Daniel 6:3).
A story that provides an excellent example for saints today, the type of trials we might face and shows us the type of spirit that we as saints should have is seen in Daniel. We need to realize that Daniel was a captive in a land that was not his own. In Daniel 6:2, we read that he was made a governor and in verse 3 we read that Daniel distinguished himself above the rest and was made above them; put in charge of the rest.
Now because of this the governors and satraps wanted to get rid of him, so they set out to find some charge that they could lay on him. But could they find any? No. Why? Because he was faithful, both to God and the king. They realized that the only way they could get Daniel was to use his religion as we read in verse 5, so they went before the king and asked him to sign a decree that no man is to worship any God or man other than the king, and if they did the penalty was death. In verse 10 we see that Daniel knew about the decree and he had the opportunity to obey and keep his life, but rather he went in his upper room and prayed to his God as was his custom since early days.
And so Daniel was brought before the king and in verse 14 we can see the affect Daniel had on the king for we see that he was greatly displeased and labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him, and in verse 16 we read that the king had faith that God would deliver Daniel. Verse 23 says that because Daniel believed no injury whatever was found on him.
We then read how Daniel’s accusers faced the same fate that they had bestowed upon Daniel and how the king came to know God, and we also read that Daniel prospered.
So what is it that we can learn from Daniel? There are going to be trials and temptations but even more important we see that we, too, can overcome them. Daniel also teaches us that God is to come first even if it means death, we see what affect we can have on other peoples lives, and how we can teach them about God through our actions and behavior. Finally, that God does look after us, if we are faithful. And, if we are faithful we will prosper, if not in this life, then certainly in the next.-Vaughn C. Botha
As Paul faced the enemies of Christ, troublesome brethren, physical hardships, and the hazards of travel, he always walked in the light of God's word. His faith rested in what had been revealed to mankind and he had full trust and confidence in what the Lord commanded him. His walk was guided by divine revelation, not by his own feelings and nature. Full confidence in the word of God caused him to search, find and follow what the Lord expected of him.
We, as Christians, are to walk by faith. That faith is produced as a result of the word of God. "So faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God"(Romans 10:17). Whatever I do as a Christian is to be approved by the commands of Christ. Whatever the church does has also the same standard, the word of God. Every belief and every action is to be in harmony with the will of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever heard someone say, "I don't see anything wrong with it?" This usually is said when challenged for Bible authority for a teaching or practice, either in the life of the individual or concerning the church. The scriptural approach is, "What is right about it?" When we find what is right, we will recognize what is wrong.
In the area of morals, many people will engage in activities that do not meet God's approval and say, "I don't see anything wrong with what I am doing." Upon a close examination of the word of God, one will learn there is not anything right about what that one is trying to justify. The world has given itself over to immorality. This ranges from fornication to adultery to homosexuality to cheating to lying to drunkenness to cursing, and so on. Christians must weigh any behavior by the word of God. If it is condemned, don't do it. If it is right, one's conscience will be clean.
The same principle, that is, finding what is right about any behavior, teaching and/or practice that affects the worship and work of the church, applies. It is not, "I can't see anything wrong with it." It must be, "Do I see anything right about it?"
Always search for the right in one's own behavior and anything that affects the church of God. Only by searching and following the scriptures in all matters of faith and morals can we please the God that made us.