A Challenge to Choose Rightly-Dare to Be a Daniel
Life brings man to the point of decision many times. In fact, choices are made every day. Some choices are made with very little thought. At other times the choice demands much thought and consideration. The ones considered important are made with greater care. The question might be, what do you consider important?
God, when He created man, bestowed upon him the privilege of choice. We cannot sidestep this responsibility nor the results of our choices, for many will have eternal consequences.
Let us look at choices a few Bible characters made. Some were good, and others were not so good. Moses, the man of God, chose “rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25). He looked to the reward which would come after this life. Choosing the company of Christian believers is a wise choice indeed.
Before the flood, “the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Genesis 6:2). They made carnal choices which ended in their destruction.
Complete text of: A Challenge to Choose Rightly-Dare to Be a Daniel
“Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan... and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:11-12). The fields there were fertile and he was blessed materially, but he lost it all when Sodom was destroyed.
Joseph, as a young man, chose to be morally pure and honest, and he was awarded highest honors in the Egyptian kingdom (Genesis 41:41).
Joshua, a servant of God, challenged the children of Israel, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” He said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” The people answered, “We will serve the Lord.” As long as they feared the Lord and served Him faithfully, they prospered. (Joshua 24:15, 21)
During the time of the prophet Elijah, people had forgotten the mighty works the Lord had done for them, and many turned to idol worship (Baal), which greatly displeased the Lord. He used Elijah at this crucial time in a most spectacular way to show his unlimited power. On Mount Carmel, Elijah called fire down from heaven which consumed the sacrifice he had prepared, thus proving that God is truly God. He asked the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him.” After they saw the fire come down, “they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God” (1 Kings 18).
Daniel, a young captive in the land of Babylon, “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8). As a result he and his three companions, who likewise made the noble choice, were in favor with God and the king. Had they not made this choice, the examples of Daniel in the lions’ den and that of the three men in the fiery furnace would not be recorded in the Bible.
Jesus gave us a parable of a father who had two sons. One chose to collect his inheritance and go into a far country (into sin). It was not a good choice. After he spent all that he had, he realized what a great mistake he had made. He chose to humbly return to his father’s house. What a blessed reunion that must have been! (Luke 15:11-32)
Jesus our Lord was apprehended and brought before Pilate. The Jews cried out, saying, “If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend.” Pilate pondered the situation before him. He considered Caesar (the world) and the Lord of glory who stood before him. He made his choice, and he delivered Jesus to be crucified (John 19).
Choosing the world with its pleasures will end in destruction (1 John 2:15-17).
Deciding to cast one’s lot with the children of God instead of going the course of the world is making a good and wise choice. Having Christ as our companion brings us into the presence of a wise counselor who will guide us in all decisions of life.
Have you made the choice to follow Jesus? Is He dearer and nearer to you than anyone else in this world? Have you accepted his ways as your ways, surrendered your life to Him, and confessed and forsaken all your sins? Is his Word precious to you, sweeter than any other book? Have you chosen in your room, home, or somewhere else, a secret place where in meditation and prayer you commune with your Lord? If you are his and He is yours, you are experiencing the most blessed condition. It is a foretaste of heaven, and choosing rightly every day will lead to endless bliss.