Don't Compromise

How has 2024 started for you? For those of you who decided that you wanted to do more for the Kingdom in 2024, what does that journey look like so far? It’s easy to declare change verbally, but’s it’s another thing to display change in our actions. As people, we have the tendency to set goals and then when we don’t meet them, we let ourselves off the hook. In other words, we compromise. We compromise our goals, we compromise our standards, and we compromise the outcome of what we set out to do. Does this sound familiar to any of you? Well let’s take a look at someone who refused to compromise his commitment to God, regardless of his circumstances.  The more I look beyond the surface of his life, I am increasingly impressed.  Let’s take a behind the scenes look at the life of Daniel.

There are many things that I admire about Daniel, but there two things that really stood out as traits that every believer should put into practice:

• Daniel didn’t compromise how he cared for his temple (Daniel 1, Romans 12:1) – When Daniel was taken captive by the Babylonians, one of the first things they attempted to do to Daniel was indoctrinate him with all of the Babylonian customs, causing him to forget his own heritage  (his belief in God).  One of the ways that attempt was made was to feed Daniel food and drink from the king’s kitchen, which was much different from the food that Daniel was accustomed to eating. Daniel viewed the food from the king’s kitchen as "unacceptable". Daniel was so determined not to defile himself by eating the king’s food, that he voiced his concern to the Babylonians directly. After all was said and done, Daniel was allowed to go forward eating the food that he knew would be acceptable to God, and he refused to do anything less.  Daniel didn’t compromise.
• Daniel maintained his prayer life and his commitment to God no matter what (Daniel 6) – As Daniel continued to advance in the Babylonian Empire, many became jealous of Daniel. As they tried to find fault with his work, they realized there was nothing to criticize because he was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. The only thing that anyone could speak about was his religion (his commitment to the true and living God). King Darius later approved a law stating that anyone who prayed to someone or something other than the king would be thrown into a den of lions. Daniel didn’t let that rule stop him.  He continued to pray to God three times a day as he had always done. Daniel was thrown in the den of lions, but God protected him the entire time. Daniel’s commitment to God despite what others wanted him to do, caused the King Darius to recognize God for who he was. Daniel was truly blessed for maintaining his commitment to God. Daniel didn’t compromise.

I think it’s safe to say that all of us can learn a thing or two from Daniel.  Maybe you need to commit to being healthier this year. Doing more for the Kingdom may consist of volunteering and giving more of yourself physically, which can be challenging if you are not in good health. Maybe you need to be more consistent in your prayer life. It may not always be convenient to pray, but it is always worth it to develop an intimate relationship with the Father. Every prayer that we pray allows God to reign in our hearts, which in turn, deepens our relationship with Him. Maybe you need to decide today, right this moment, that no matter what comes your way, you will not compromise living your life according to God’s holy word.  Regardless of what the world says is appropriate, regardless of what the world says is acceptable, regardless of what your friends are doing or not doing, if it does not line up with the word of God, run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

No matter what is happening in this world, not matter what shifts and changes are made, do not compromise your beliefs. The word of God is never failing, it is faithful through generations, and its foundation is FIRM. (Matthew 7:24-27) We can trust Him and put our faith in Him. This world is temporary. Jesus is forever. Choose to stand for what you believe in. Don’t compromise!

References

Tyndale House Foundation. (1996, 2004, 2015). Holy Bible, New Living Translation. Carol Stream, Illinois. All rights reserved.: Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers.