Oct. 01, 2023

Remaining Faithful to the Lord

During Hard Times

A Study in Daniel – Part 2

Memory Verse

Daniel 1:8 - “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 1:2 - “And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into the hand of King Nebuchadnezzar.”

Two Main Points: 

1. God is sovereign even during hard times. (From Sermon - Part 1)

1. How God’ people can remain faithful to Him even in hard times. (Today’s Main Point)

1 Cor 1:18 & 23 –   ¹⁸“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  ²³ but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles.”

Daniel 1:8 - “But Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself with the royal food and wine” 

How did Daniel conduct himself?  How Should we?

1. Daniel asked for permission not to defile himself.

1. Daniel showed respect to those put in charge over him.  

1. Let your character be your witness!

1 Peter 2:17 –  “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.” 

Jeremiah 29:4 & 7 - “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon” ⁷ “seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 

Don’t wing it!

Decided not to let the choices of life be left to the temptations of the moment.