"God's Favored Servants"
Dan. 1:1-21 [vs. 1-2, 8, 9]
There are twin themes in chapter 1:
A. Conviction
[v. 8]. Biblical convictions
Someone said
that a belief is something you hold; but a conviction is something that holds
you. Biblical discernment and Biblical convictions are a endangered traits
today.
Daniel held
Biblical beliefs, but he was also held by Biblical beliefs that showed in his
convictions and choices.
Conviction could mean being convinced of
sin and the Savior, being cut to the heart [salvation conviction], or believing
the Word of God without compromise.
Compromise is defined as the inability to
deal with the biblical data as God intends because we are overwhelmed with our
own personal desires. We substitute ourselves as the one to be pleased rather
than God.
What is it that
you are compromising today? What keeps you from your Bible study? Your
witnessing? Your praying? Your doctrinal and moral purity? What is it that
keeps you from faithful church attendance and ministry?
We will see in
our text how God used 4 young men out of possibly 50-75 men to show us today
that one can live an uncompromising life in a compromising world. That it is
possible to walk Godly in an ungodly world, to live right in a wrong world with
God's favor on you..
B. Favor
[v. 9].
We will also see
the sovereign hand of God in the affairs of men and nations by bring these men
into favor with God.
1. What does it mean to have God's favor
on you?
The best definition of the
word favor is “demonstrated delight.” The favor of God can be described
as “tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord.”
2. How can you get God's favor?
(1). God shows favor to the
ones who delight in and give honor to Him.
Isaiah 66:2 says, “These are the ones I look on
with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my
word.”
Second
Chronicles 16:9 says, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole
earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward
him.”
To be
“perfect” toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of
anyone else, even ourselves.
(2). God seeks out those who love Him and love His commands so that He can bless, guide, and protect them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6).
(2). God seeks out those who love Him and love His commands so that He can bless, guide, and protect them (Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5–6).
This does not mean that
everyone who is prosperous or healthy has found favor with God (Jeremiah 12:1; Psalm 37:7; 73:16). Nor does it mean
that those whom the Lord favors will never suffer difficulties.
Those who are favored of God
know that God is with them and that nothing can happen to them apart from His
good purpose (Romans 8:28).
(3). One way to obtain favor
from the Lord is to seek wisdom.
Proverbs 8:35 says, “For those who find me
[wisdom] find life and receive favor from the LORD.”
Psalm 5:12
says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor
as with a shield.”
(4). Finding favor with the
Lord keeps our lives and thoughts pure because we desire to please Him more
than we desire to please ourselves.
Hebrews 11:25 says of Moses, “He chose to be mistreated along with
the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
When the same can be said of
us, we know we have found favor with God. His delight in us will be
demonstrated.
