STAND UP FOR CHRIST EVERYWHERE
MEMORISE: If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Psalms 137:6
READ: Daniel 1:8 -20
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
MESSAGE
In our Bible reading for today, we see how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishel, and Azariah rejected the king's food so as not to defile themselves. Though they were slaves in a strange land, these boys were determined to maintain their consecration to God.
Unfortunately, there are many Christians who begin to behave like the people of the world the moment they get to a land where nobody know them. We see several examples of such in the Bible. Let us consider Lot. He was Abraham's nephew and must have been trained according to the instructions of God, but when the Angels got to Sodom and Gomortah, who did they find at the gate of the city (Genesis 19:1). He ended up losing all that he had amassed, including his wife.
Whenever you find yourself, you must live by the standard of the Most High God. Some Christian students resume in the University and dump all the consecration they maintained while at home. They start mixing with ungodly friends and join them to lead sinful lives. Some others travel to a different country or state and begin to misbehave.
Be warned! When Daniel got to a strange land, he ensured he kept the company with fellow believers. When you get to a strange land, locate other believers - people who are on fire for God - and befriend them. Join a Bible- believing church where you can continue to serve God as you used to back at home. When you refuse the king's meat and wine in that strange land so as to stay pure, God will defend you at all times.
When Hananiah, Mishel, and Azariah (now renamed Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego by their captors) were thrown into fiery furnace, the fire could not burn them because they took a stand for God (Daniel 3). When Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, the lions could not eat him because he had not defiled himself by indulging in the sinful lifestyle of the inhabitants of the land (Daniel 6). Stand out for Christ anywhere you find yourself and Christ will stand up for you too.
KEY POINT
Maintain your consecration unto God every where you find yourself.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Genesis 36-38
HYMN 20: STAND UP,STAND UP FOR JESUS
1 Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict'ry unto vict'ry
his army he shall lead
till ev'ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.
2 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the trumpet call obey;
forth to the mighty conflict
in this his glorious day.
Ye that are men now serve him
against unnumbered foes;
let courage rise with danger
and strength to strength oppose.
3 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
stand in his strength alone;
the arm of flesh will fail you,
ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the gospel armor,
each piece put on with prayer;
where duty calls or danger,
be never wanting there.
4 Stand up, stand up for Jesus,
the strife will not be long;
this day the noise of battle,
the next, the victor's song.
To him that overcometh
a crown of life shall be;
he with the King of glory
shall reign eternally.
