Dare to Be a Daniel
We are increasingly living in a “Godless Age.” So how do we thrive in a generation that is increasingly turning their backs on God and values? It can seem that we are the only ones, especially if you watch the news for very long. Promoting abortion, gay rights, taking God out of schools, and on and on it goes.
It seems that people who strive to worship God are the ones who are losing their rights. Case in point; an Oregon bakery was sued by a lesbian couple for not baking a cake for their wedding. The bakery ended up having to close their store, because their consciences could not allow them to accommodate something they are so against.
Hobby Lobby, a Christian base company, was told that a new government health care mandate demands that their family business must provide what they believe are abortion-causing drugs as part of their health insurance. Being Christians, the company will not cover emergency contraception, the morning-after pill, or the week-after pill. They believe doing so might end a life after the moment of conception, something that is contrary to their most important beliefs. They stated that, “It goes against the biblical principles on which we have run this company since day one”. Hobby Lobby was told if they did not comply with the new law, they would be fined $1.3 million dollars per day.
As I watch a country in a moral decline, I was struck by not even recognizing the country that I grew up in. You can’t even turn on the TV without getting totally disgusted with the prime time line up. Let’s see… there is Scandal, and then Modern Family, which focuses on a gay couple. A new series, Hostages, is centered on the theme of killing the President. Criminal Minds is a show that focuses on solving horrible crimes of torture. What happen to great family shows like Father Knows Best or Leave it to Beaver?
It is not unusual to find yourself feeling alone as we steadily see the decline of our nation. As laws are changed to accommodate the immorality and stamped out Christianity, we can become discouraged. But as other great men and women in the Bible who walked before us, they knew we are not alone! Their faith was steadfast in God, in His word, in His principles, and morality. What about Daniel or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? These men stood alone. Daniel stood alone. Although Daniel knew about the law against praying to anyone except the king, he continued to pray three times a day as he always had. Daniel's convictions were founded upon the law that God had given to His people. Daniel knew that even though he felt alone in a corrupt society, God would take care of him.
God's people are most often in the minority. Even though things seem to be falling apart and we feel most alone in our beliefs, we must stand strong in God and our convictions. Reflect on the many scriptures in the Bible such as Psalms 56:3-4, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?”
I used to sing a song when I was a child titled “Dare to be a Daniel”. I still remembers this phrase: “Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone. Dare to have a firm purpose, and dare to make it known.” Daniel was extremely grounded doctrinally. The pressures of his peers, threats of kings and even the fear of death could not move him from the stand for what is right!
As in Hebrews 12:12-14 (NIV), “So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.”
Read the story of Daniel and what he had to face, and the many other heroes in your Bible when you are in fear, feel alone or in moments of weakness. For you are not alone, you warriors for Christ! Be strong, and Dare to be a Daniel!
Course Content
Janet Treadway
Janet Treadway was born in Washington, D.C., but was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She started attending the Church of God with her mother at the age of 14 along with her twin brother, Jim.
She was baptized at the age of 19 in 1974. She has been involved in various activities, such as serving as the managing editor of UCG’s first teen magazine UsTeens, which was distributed worldwide and published in English and Spanish.
Janet’s first love is writing. She has contributed many articles in various publications such as Vertical Thought, Virtual Christian Magazine, United News and others. Her article “Take Action, Your Life May Depend on It” is also featured in the reprint “The Cycle of Abuse.” Janet draws from her own life’s experiences and challenges when she writes and is motivated to give readers hope that God will see them through anything.
Janet has worked in the home office of the United Church of God since 1998. She is married to Charles Treadway and has four children, David, Michelle, Michael and Josh, as well as six grandchildren and two granddogs, Jo Jo and Vinny.
