Staying Faithful

O. T. #1966   "Staying Faithful"

June 18, 2021

Daniel 1

LET IT GLOW

Here we are again in another prophetic book. Because if that, we hare continuing in Psalms for some assurance in these hard times.

Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)

Have we set our love upon God? Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? Did you notice that God promises to deliver and protect those who set their hearts on Him. Also, He will answer when we call upon Him. Jesus is our answer to all our problems. So we can count on God to rescue us when we need it and satisfy us with the full length of days ordained for us. Remember, Jesus is only a prayer away.

Romans 8:18 tells us that the sufferings of this present time are not worth to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Dear one, keep on keeping on, for the best is yet to come-heaven. It will be worth it after all.

LET IT GROW

We know that Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah in 605 BC. Daniel was among the first group of three to be deported to Babylon. (It thrills my heart to see teenagers faithful to God.) And Daniel was one. He was drafted to be a counselor to King Neb. To show his dominance, Neb took many of Jerusalem's most intelligent, gifted men, and most beautiful women as captives to Babylon. Neb had also defeated the Assyrian and their allies(who conquered the northern kingdom of Israel).

Now, Daniel was born during the middle of Josiah's reign as a good king of Judah. He probably heard Jeremiah since 9:2 quotes the prophet. Josiah was killed in battle in Egypt, and within only 4 years the southern kingdom returned to its evil ways. Then Josiah's son, Jehoahaz reigned for 3 months and his broth, Jehoiakim became king of Judah. This brings us up to the time when Daniel was taken to Babylon, during Jehoiakim's reign. (The last 4 kings of Judah were bad kings, leading Judah to turn to idolatry.) This is the reason for God sending Babylon to wipe out Jerusalem.

This early invasion of Neb resulted in taking back to Babylon:

• some vessels from the house of God, Solomon's Temple; (verse 2)
• some young men from the royal family;
• some from the nobility; (verse 3)

Neb took those objects and placed them in the treasury house of his god. Isaiah had prophesied that this would happen, some 100 years earlier. (Isaiah 39)

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. (Romans 13:1)

Daniel remained faithful to God, in spite of his surroundings. We will read about several tests for his character. Are we determined to stay faithful to God?

LET IT GO

Leave behind this world, trade them for the joy of the Lord Jesus.

Set my heart to love God.

Call upon Him in my times of trouble.

Oh what a Savior! Isn't He wonderful? Sing hallaleuh! Forgiveness was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.