RSS Feed |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
God's word can't be compromised
Even though many people do not use the word compromise these days, the principle is practiced with regularity. This word means, "a settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions; an adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. by modifying some aspects of each." As popular as this idea might be today, it is not taught in the holy scriptures. The person who claims to know Jesus Christ as his or her personal savior is expected to operate under the guidance of the divine word. The directive that has been established for centuries cannot be improved - "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might…" Ecclesiastes 9:10a. This thought was expressed by the Apostle Paul, as he wrote to the young church - "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus… And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men…" Colossians 3:17a, 23. When the nation of Judah was overrun by the Babylonians, the first captives taken were "certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of princes; 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…" Daniel 1:3b,4. Among this group was "Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah". Daniel 1:6. All of this group was trained with their peers, to became part of the governing men in the kingdom. The Babylonians were overthrown by the "Medes and Persians." Daniel 5:28. We are told that "In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom, being about threescore and two years old." Daniel 5:30, 31. The governmental structure under the Medes provided for "three presidents; of whom Daniel was first." Daniel 6:2a. Their purpose was that the "princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage." Daniel 6:2b. We are given a portion of the job evaluation of Daniel - "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." Daniel 6:3. Those who served with - and under - Daniel recognized the nature of his work. "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault… neither was there any error or fault found in him." Daniel 6:4. What an assessment by fellow workers! This internal investigation did not remove the jealousy that seemed to have been the drive of these men. "Then said these men,We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." Daniel 6:5. With this weapon in their arsenal, these men set forth a plan that was sure-fire. This group approached the king with flattery and trickery. The Medes were a pagan nation, and, thus, served any god that they could invent. The king was convinced to sign a decree "to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for 30 days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions." Daniel 6:7b, c. "Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altered not. Wherefore King Darius signed the writing and the decree." Daniel 6:8, 9. Daniel was not unaware of the new law. However, this fact did not change the way he lived and served his God, even in a foreign land. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." Daniel 6:10. This law did not scare Daniel. We are told that "these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God." Daniel 6:11. No doubt, they would have been disappointed, had he changed his consistent pattern. How well-established is our spiritual life? Do those around us know that we consistently serve God? Can they know that our life-style is so divinely focused that we see our need to serve God, as superior to the thoughts of the general population? If someone is attempting to get something on us, will it be necessary for them to invent something to discredit our relationship with God? These men who had set their trap for Daniel were not ready to haul in their prey. "Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree… That Daniel which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regarded not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day." Daniel 6:12, 13. This pagan king was familiar with the fact that From page 10 one cannot unscramble eggs. When he realized that he had been set up by his appointees, he was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him." Daniel 6:14. These men were quick to remind the king that "the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed." Daniel 6:15. Since the king recognized the fact that he was trapped, it was necessary for him to carry out the judgment. "Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions." Daniel 6:16a. However, before the act was done, the king made a confession that showed the influence that the spiritual life of this salve-leader had had on his superior. "Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee." Daniel 5:16b. What a testimony to come from a pagan king! The den was sealed, so that no physical escape was possible. Daniel 6:17. The fact of the sentence did not bring any kind of pleasure to the king. Daniel 6:18. After a sleepless night, "the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?" Daniel 6:20. The king heard an answer from the lions den. "Then said Daniel unto the king, O king live forever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." Daniel 6:21, 22. After the faithful one was removed from the den, the conspirators and their families were cast into the pit, and lost their lives. Daniel 6:24. This pagan king, then, made an official recognition of the God whom Daniel served. Daniel 6:25-27.
We must not compromise our faith in Jesus Christ. We must be faithful to the one who has provided our eternal salvation. Mark 8:38; Revelation 2:10c.
|
for larger version       |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
