Ever feel like you are living in a culture that is antagonistic towards your Christian faith? While it may feel like we are all along, God provided the story of Daniel as an encouragement and game plan for us. Let’s examine how the life of Daniel presents a model for us.
1. He was living in a culture opposed to his faith.
You’ll recall that the Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem, captured many of the Hebrews, and brought them to Babylon. Daniel found himself in a “management training” program for the King of the Babylonians, in a foreign environment, far from his native Jerusalem and in a culture where his Jewish beliefs were opposed. His story provides a guideline for those of us who find ourselves in an environment which is antagonistic toward our Christian faith.
2. He did well in the position he was given.
Daniel and his associates became excellent in their studies, and later in their performance on the job. As a result, they were recognized by the King and given positions of greater responsibility.
This sequence of events illustrates a Biblical principal. You may recall the parable of the talents, in which the servants who increased the master’s worldly wealth were rewarded with a closer relationship with the master and a larger area of responsibility. Recall Joseph, who was so good at what he did that he was made the head of what may have been the largest business entity in the world at that time — Pharoh’s grain buying, storing and distribution business.
3. His excellence in the King’s service brought him influence with the King.
In Daniel’s life his access to the King and influence with him were enabled by Daniel’s excellent work in the service of the king. In an earlier post, I discussed the relationship between excellence in your career and growing influence. Doing well for a secular employer is a path to greater influence, and Daniel’s life illustrates that Biblical principle.
3. He stuck to his faith when he was ordered not to.
On several occasion, Daniels’ detractors set him up so that his adherence to a relationship with God was seen as a disobedience to the King. In spite of his favored positions, Daniel remained faithful, even under the threat of being thrown later into the lion’s den. The threat of these horrific punishments couldn’t sway Daniel from adherence to the practices that defined his relationship with God.
4. He fearlessly explained his faith and commitment to his judges.
When brought before the King, Daniel was articulate in explaining his faith and the reason for his adherence to his commitment to the one God. No excuses, no soft or vague excuses. Daniel was direct and plain spoken in front of the King. Knowing that his proclamation of his faith would bring the most horrific of deaths, he didn’t hesitate to give the glory to God.
5. God miraculously protected him.
In the lion’s den, God intervened to supernaturally protect Daniel. God was aware of Daniel’s actions, and stepped in to providentially shut the mouths of the lions.
7. God was praised and significant people converted.
As a result, God was praised by even those most opposed to him.
In all of his, Daniels story provides a game plan for those marketplace Christians who feel like our culture is becoming more antagonistic toward our faith.
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