The Faithfulness Of Daniel (Part 1)

by J.K.D. Johnston, Musselburgh, Scotland | Category: The Faithfulness Of Daniel | Nov 1984

An Attainable Objective

There are objectives in life that might be beyond our capacity to achieve, for we are not all equally endowed with natural abilities and talents, but there is one quality that can be seen in all our lives if we firmly resolve to display it faithfulness. Faithfulness is a quality that is valued in the things of men; a past president of the United States of America, Theodore Roosevelt, once said, "It is better to be faithful than famous." In the things of God we have a stewardship entrusted to us, and we are solemnly reminded that "it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:1, 2). The indwelling Spirit will enable us to show faithfulness in our lives, for it is a manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

Faithfulness in Difficult Circumstances

Faithfulness to God was the hallmark of Daniel's life. That faithfulness is further enhanced when we consider his circumstances. For the greater part of his life he was in exile in a pagan land, cut off from the house of God and from its services. Indeed, during the greater part of his life there was no house of God in existence. God left His house in Daniel's early manhood and returned to the house built by the remnant in the time of Daniel's old age.

The house of God and the people of God are two related truths that may be traced throughout the Scriptures. God longs for a people among whom He can dwell, but if there is continued persistent disobedience indulged in by that people He will forsake His dwelling-place among them. He did that in Daniel's day, did it again when His Son was rejected by His own people, and in due time He also forsook the spiritual house that was set up in the days of the apostles.

For the greater part of his life, therefore, Daniel was denied the joy of participating in the gatherings of the people of God. He was among the first to be carried into captivity some eighteen years before the majority of the people were exiled.

How did the people react to the captivity in Babylon? Some did not take long to settle down, and, in adapting themselves to their changed circumstances, they allowed the vision of Zion to fade from their memories. Some, like Daniel, could not forget the land and the Place of God's choice. The high ways to Zion had a secure place in their hearts (Ps. 84:5). Psalm 137 describes in beautiful but plaintive language the feelings of the godly Israelite during the exile in Babylon:

If I forget thee, 0 Jerusalem,

Let my right hand forget her cunning.

Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth,

If I remember thee not;

If I prefer not Jerusalem

Above my chief joy (vv. 5, 6).

We live in a day when there is a collective testimony for God in existence, although a small one. Do we put a high value on the gatherings together of the people of God? Would it distress us if we were unable to attend the breaking of the bread or the prayers? Would we miss them?

Restrictions Imposed upon the Exiles

There were ordinances of divine service associated with the Old Covenant that could not be kept when there was no house and therefore no collective service. The same is true of the New Covenant and the conditional aspects of collective service associated with it. The Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ cannot be fully kept by individuals in isolation. Paul was able to say, "I have kept the Faith," because he was numbered among the people of God in his day (2 Tim. 4:7). But there are facets of the Faith that relate to personal life and conduct that can be effectively expressed by the individual.

There were aspects of the law of God that Daniel could not keep because he was in exile, but there were also requirements relating to his personal life and testimony that could be kept and he firmly resolve to keep them.

The Special Problems of Youth

Daniel was a youth (a teenager) when he was taken into captivity. He was at a stage in life that has many problems and pressures. Older ones can be sympathetic about these problems because they too have known them in their own experience, but as we draw near to the end of the age the problems are increasing rather than diminishing. It is good to know that there is guidance in the Scriptures for all the stages and circumstances of our lives.

Daniel's circumstances were more difficult than those of many others, for he was uprooted from his home environment at an early age and subjected to powerful alien influences that were at variance with his early training.

Education, its Benefits and its Hazards

Nebuchadnezzar was an able administrator, although a ruthless despot. He had an enlightened education policy that was geared to the providing of competent administrators for his expanding empire. Those who had the academic fitness to satisfy the requirements of the selection criteria were given a three-year course of higher education in Babylon. The prospects for advancement of those who acquitted themselves well on the course were bright indeed. They would fill positions of power and influence in the government of the superpower. Daniel was one of those who had the fitness for this course. How did he react to the situation? He was prepared to accept the education and to benefit from it. Education is a good thing and it can increase our usefulness in the service of God as well as helping us in our secular vocations. There are, of course, dangers for the Christian in certain courses of study in which there may be much of the philosophy of the world and of the sophistry of "the knowledge which is falsely so called" (Col. 2:8; 1 Tim. 6:20, 21).

There is no doubt that Daniel had laid up the Word of God in his heart very early in his life; this provides a powerful protection against external influences (Ps. 119:11). He did not let the education he was given undermine his faith. His course of study would be tainted with the philosophy and religious thought of the Chaldeans, and there would be, therefore, things in it that he would reject because they were not in accord with the Word of God. There would also be much that was helpful and instructive and he would use discrimination. He was not prepared to abandon his principles for the sake of material gain or personal development.

Taking his Stand

Daniel found that he could accept the education that was provided for him but he could not accept the food that was provided with it. The godly Jew had to be careful about the things he ate. The Law pronounced certain meats clean and others unclean. Apparently Daniel could not take the king's meat and keep the requirements of the Law. He was firm in his resolve to abstain from partaking of the meat but showed tact and wisdom in securing his objective. He was appreciative of the difficulties faced by the steward in accepting his proposal, and so he suggested an initial trial period. We often need to exercise similar tact and wisdom in dealing with those we come into contact with for they do not understand the principles that govern our lives. We should seek to avoid conflict whenever possible (Heb. 12:14; Rom. 14:19).

J.K.D. Johnston, Musselburgh, Scotland | Nov 1984
The Faithfulness Of Daniel