Download the UBF brochure here
Weekly Message | February 3rd, 2008
Passage: Daniel 1:1-21
Key Verse(s): Daniel 1:8
For the next five weeks we will be studying the book of Daniel. The main theme is the sovereign rule of God and the power of faith. These studies will help us to determine the relative small size of even big people and major events in this life. Instead, we reclaim the power of faith that determines our destiny. In this Super Bowl Sunday, we consider God who blessed Daniel’s decision of faith.
First, Daniel, a prisoner of war in Babylon (1:1-7). Verses 1 and 2 describe Daniel’s circumstances. At that time, the world’s super power nation was Babylon which occupied the modern Iraq. Babylon’s invasion started around BC 605. The city of Jerusalem fell in BC 586. The powerful king, Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem with his invincible army and besieged it. After months of incessant attack, the city fell. The army captured many Israelites, including the king. They ravaged the city and the temple of God—the source of pride of Israel. Then the Babylonian soldiers entered the temple. They carried off the treasures from the temple to Babylon. Then, Nebuchadnezzar ordered his solider to bind Jehoiakim, the king of Judah, with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon (2Ch 36:6). That was the way of Babylonians. Just imagine what it was like to be prisoners of war! Such was beyond imagination.
Verses 3-5 describe Daniel’s circumstances. As a young man Daniel was taken captive to Babylon. He lost his nation. Daniel belonged to the royal family. He was young, handsome and intelligent. Throughout the book of Daniel, no reference is made about his family. Probably, Daniel was separated from his family members. The Babylonian king found it useful to bring many young people like Daniel into his palace. It was to train them and use them for the king’s service. The pay was good. The prospect was fine. In verse 5 we read, “The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service.” Daniel’s future was guaranteed for each and comfortable living in the palace of Babylon as one of high government official.
Yet, the cost was also high. Daniel and his three other friends lost their Jewish names. They were given new Babylonian names. Verse 7 says, “The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel (i.e., God is my judge), the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah(i.e., Jehovah is gracious), Shadrach; to Mishael(i.e., who is like God) Meshach; and to Azariah(i.e., Jehovah is my helper), Abednego.” All these names were openly declaring their loyalty to Babylonian gods. While his people suffered as prisoners of war in the bottom of the society, Daniel was given all kinds of privileges. The king offered all the luxury that the life in Babylon could provide--the royal food, wine and women and wild parties. In the course of such life, Daniel could lose everything precious to him--his national identity, personal faith, and his dignity as a person.
Daniel’s life was in between two choices—opportunities for good, worldly life and yet grave dangers for losing his identity as God’s chosen people. Daniel’s circumstance was quite unique. However, for ages, these choices are quite familiar to God’s people. Even today we find similar challenges among us. Just as Daniel was in Babylon, so do God’s people live in this world! Does this world encourage people moving toward great passion for God? Is college environment fitting to pursue holy living? Rarely, people find their work places that support loving God. This world is not a comfortable place to live as his chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and people belonging to God. Life’s events that unfold to each of us demand choices—either we drift as the situation dictates or we live in ways that define our destiny.
Second, Daniel’s small decision of faith (1:8-16). At the moment of important choice what did Daniel do? Look at verse 8: “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.” This decision was not necessarily about food. Rather, it was about his faith and personal identity. It was made before God. This small decision defined himself before God and among people in Babylonian palace. Daniel resolved to pursue God’s holiness. He decided to live as God’s chosen people and a holy nation (Ex 19:5-6). His three friends--Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah—also joined with him. They formed the spiritual community and encouraged to live by faith in Babylon. Daniel’s decision of faith was in regard to his identity before God. It was between him and God. But the execution of his decision involved people. He implemented this decision with wisdom and tact. He clearly asked permission to the chief official not to defile himself with the royal food and wine which were offered first to Babylonian gods and included many unclean animals. When the official rejected his request for fear of his life, Daniel then moved down to the guard. He suggested a win-win solution. His request was to test the status of health after eating only vegetables for ten days. Then, the guard, the lowly paid soldier, had an option to eat all the king’s royal food instead. The guard certainly liked the idea. In verse 15 we read, “At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food.” This is the way Daniel and his friends earned freedom to live as God’s holy people.
Here, consider carefully the power of decision of faith. Decision of faith has 5Ps: personal (e.g., it was about Daniel’s life), purposeful (e.g., to be holy in the Babylon palace), precise (e.g., not to eat the king’s royal food for ten days), public (e.g., ask permission to the chief official and then to the guard) and presentable (e.g., test the results after ten days only with vegetables and water). People may have vague notions about loving God (e.g., I want to love God this year. I want to be a better follower of Jesus). However, without personal, purposeful, specific, explicit and measurable decision, it is not implementable. No implementation and then no impact. Therefore, mere noble ideas have little impact in our lives. Last Friday seven students shared their key verses. They chose a key verse from the Bible and shared their life stories and express their desire to love God. Anthony Coca made a very specific decision—sharing his testimony twice a month. This is a very small but effective decision before God. It is one thing to say, “I will love God. I will make progress in my life.” It is quite another to decide, “In loving God and my neighbors, I will offer Morning Prayer at 5:00 A.M. six days a week”. This is purposeful, specific, measurable and explicit.
In 1971 I, as a college sophomore, first wrote my key verse testimony. With that I reviewed my previous year and defined my small goals. At that time my decision was to study the Bible each week and attend Sunday worship service. In retrospect that decision made a real impact in my life. This year based on Luke 9:23, the theme of Toledo UBF is “Follow Christ Daily”. I am committed to offer early morning prayers daily. Some of the committed leaders offer intercessory prayers. We pray for rebuilding brothers and sisters ministry, 24 student leaders, double ministry and 2008 International Summer Bible Conference. These specific prayer topics are related to God’s mission purpose in this world.
A decision of faith gives us freedom to pursue the kind of people we become. This also provides power to live as we really pray for. If we desire freedom, power and impact in our lives, then make a small decision of faith before God and execute it daily. Such decision of faith changes our destiny. This is the power of a small decision of faith.
Third, God blessed Daniel (1:17-21). When Daniel and his friends made small decisions, God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. They mastered the advanced secular subjects in Babylon. Besides, Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the three-year-study they all had rigorous, comprehensive exam before the king. In verse 20 we read, “In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” Daniel and his friends were quite successful. They became accomplished scholars and young administrators in the palace. Verse 21 states that Daniel remained in such service until the first year of King Cyrus. Daniel served three kings—Nebuchadnezzar,
God blessed Daniel and his friends with faith and wisdom. Daniel’s life was a success. Why? Daniel’s life was fairly simple. He did not have great ministry. Probably, he worshipped God either in his house or with a small community of believing friends around him. Three pillars of his success are: his daily spiritual discipline (i.e., godliness), developing friends around him (i.e., relationship skills) and pursuit of excellence (i.e., habits of good study and work).
This week I would introduce John Calvin (July 10, 1509 – May 27, 1564), a great reformer in history. Three pillars of reformation are Martin Luther (Lutherans), John Knox (Scottish Presbyterian) and John Calvin (Reformed Presbyterian). UBF has its root in Presbyterian Theology in that the two founders (Dr. Samuel Lee and Sarah Barry) were both trained in reformed theology that emphasizes God’s sovereignty and his holiness. At the age of 23, he had attained a Doctor of Laws degree. The following year (1533) Calvin experienced real change in his heart as he was studying the book of Psalms. At the age of twenty-six, he published Institutes of the Christian Religion that changed the course of Western history. In 1539, he married Idelette de Bure, a widow. On May 27, 1564 John Calvin died in Geneva and was buried in an unknown place, without witnesses or ceremony because he wanted to die in peace and quietness. That was the way he ended his life--for the glory of God alone. His life made a huge impact in the ways worship God, use material wealth and integrate private and public life for the glory of God. The world became a better place to live with justice and mercy in its social and political structure.
John Calvin could have drifted as one of many people in his generation. His personal circumstance was not that good. In Calvin’s time religious and political wars were everywhere. People were driven out of their homes and lived as exiles. Calvin himself had to leave France for freedom to worship. In his commentary on Daniel, he compared many exiled Christians to the Israelites in Babylon. Calvin’s vision was to make the city Geneva a godly city on a hill and to construct a society in which biblical ideals of justice and mercy are realized. His serious work was to plant personal faith in Jesus through his preaching and pastoral care. His life purpose was the glory of God. His small decision of faith was to devote to the ministry of God’s word and prayer. He never forgot this decision. Throughout his life he struggled with health issues such as migraines, lung hemorrhages, gout and kidney stones, and at times he had to be carried to the pulpit to preach and sometimes gave lectures from his bed. He was sick and weak very frequently. Yet, his small decision of faith made him persevere.
When do we make a small decision of faith? Make a small decision of faith early in this life. It is in the morning of each day. It is in January of each year. It is during the high school days. This week we will pray for our high school students. We must pray for their decision of faith. They have to define their lives before God—pursue holiness and difference. They may not merely conform to the world but offer their lives as living sacrifices to God. For the next two weeks we will prepare Daniel’s decision of faith symposium for the young people.
Daniel lived in an impossible age. He lived in the most secular, corrupt and ungodly environment. There he made a small decision not to drift like a dead fish but live as God’s holy nation. He made a decision of faith before God and implemented among the people. Then, God blessed him greatly. He served God’s purpose in his generation. May God bless each of you so that you do not allow your circumstances cruel masters and ruthless dictators for you. Rather, you define your destiny before God and live as free people instead.
February 3, 2008. Toledo UBF.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
