Daniel

We started out with a little background knowledge and all of us came prepared with the reading of Daniel chapters 1,3 and 6.

(1) The traumatic experience of Daniel and his three friends.
Daniel 1:1-7
- Background: Daniel was taken away from the familiar
Daniel was brainwashed
- The offer: Daniel 1:4-5
-prestige
-recognition
-wealth
-position
-ease
How did Daniel and his three friends respond?

"But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way." Daniel 1:8

The question is: Would we have responded the same way? Would we be like Daniel, standing firm and not defiling ourselves? To Daniel, wealth and royal food were not important.

Another question would be: How would the royal food defile oneself?

The kings food is offered to the pagan gods before consumption. We are talking about food being offered to idols. Is this too minor an issue to find fault? Is drinking wine, not saying grace in front of non-christian friends too minor to find fault too? I agree with what uncle Richard says about not being too quick to say yes. Not being quick to say yes, we can drink but not get drunk. Yes, we don't have to say grace in front of non-christian friends becoz it will be awkward. The line is too thin. And are we willing to tread on this thin line or juz make a stand like Daniel and say "I will honour God and stand firm in my faith."

How can God entrust us with bigger things if we do not prove to Him that we can handle small things? (read Sam's sharing in ypg groups)

Daniel 3:5, 7 10 and 15 was the call to compromise. The message that the world wants us to hear sometimes comes across loud and clear. And like the song that Chin led, God's soft prompting, can be easily ignored. If we don't compromise, the world makes us feel like we'll have to face the fiery furnace like Daniel did. Then, do we trust God that he'll protect us and let us walk out of the fiery furnace unharmed? The ridicule of the world will not be as unbearable as God's wrath upon us on judgement day. Shall we all challenge ourselves to be Daniels and Danielles, and stand firm for God?

Lesson to learn:

(1) Dont count on people's past blessings from God. King Nebuchadnezzar seemed in awe of Daniel's God at the fiery furnace but look what happened when Daniel was again thrown into the lion's den?

(2) Be careful with your anger

Are we ready to tell God that we are ready even if He doesnt hear us? Trust God. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Matthew 19:26
'Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

How do we survive spiritually in a non-spiritual world?
-Dare to be different
-Remain Godly

Daniel's secrets?
To praise God, to Pray and to know God's Word.