Standing Strong | Part 5

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Daniel faces three tests in Bablyon, a change of diet, name and language. When it comes to language he fully embraces it, and God blesses and helps him understands all the literature and wisdom of Babylon. Like Daniel we have to be students of the world around us, if we ever hope for the message of Jesus to be heard.

Standing Strong
The book of Daniel is an active encouragement to give your life to Jesus, and to be courageous representing him in your generation. We have a clarion call not to lose our nerve, or let our faith be diluted amidst huge cultural pressures. We want to equip you to go against the flow. Daniel, through active faith, silent and prayerful wisdom, shows us how to stand strong.

To stand strong in the world today means to be on the solid foundation of the name of Jesus. To live for him in a culture, that feels like you are swimming against the tide, you’ll need the right values, the right food, and to know who you are. You’ll need wisdom, to be bold, to maintain integrity and hold to a strong witness. You’ll need Prayer, the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. Let’s be a Daniel, rise our heads above the parapet and resolve not to get swept away. Part One is Six Messages from Daniel chapter one, all looking at the changing world of Daniel, one that displaced God, built a contrary way of living but demonstrates the kind of person God calls each one of us to be.

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Transcript

2. A CHANGE OF DIET
3. But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile (taint, dishonour) himself with the king’s finest food or with the wine which the king drank; so he asked the commander of the officials that he might [be excused so that he would] not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favour and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials, and the commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has prearranged your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the young men who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” Daniel 1:8–15 (AMP)
4. But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please, test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the young men who eat the king’s finest food be observed and compared by you, and deal with your servants in accordance with what you see.” So the man listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it seemed that they were looking better and healthier than all the young men who ate the king’s finest food. Daniel 1:8–15 (AMP)