Monthly Archives: April 2022

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

…We should resolve to live righteously.

The first principle that we see from Daniel’s life is simple yet profound. He purposes in his heart to live a holy, righteous life. Such a resolution should seem to be self-evident. But, often-times we fail to take this vital step as believers.

Daniel has been forcibly taken to foreign land. His name has been changed and he will now spend his life serving pagan kings in their administrations. Daniel is an older teenager at most and yet he faces a difficult decision.

Daniel is being asked to defile himself with the offered food. More than likely, the food being served did not conform to the standards of the Torah and it probably was not prepared correctly to meet kosher standards. It is at this point that Daniel has a choice to make. Either compromise and eat the food or take a stand for holiness. Daniel chooses to take a stand.

He ask that he and his friends only be served vegetables and water. The steward in charge reluctantly agrees and Daniel and the others fare well and perform brilliantly when tested. Daniel consumes this diet from this point forward and is found worthy to serve at the highest levels of government.

Daniel made a decision to do what is right before he was tempted. We must determine beforehand to live righteously as well. We cannot wait until temptation is upon us and then try to decide. We must begin every day resolving to live righteously before a lost world. We will be tested each day and we must purpose in our heart to fight against the evil that surrounds us and would consume us.

As Believers, the Holy Spirit lives in us and is with us. (1 Corinthians 3:16) We can be holy and we do not have to go it alone. Holy Spirit will empower us to follow God and be obedient. It is not easy all the time, but, we must make a decision to see God work in us and live holy lives. Daniel was able to be used mightily by God because He sought to live a God-fearing life. We can be used in the same way if we will face our temptations head on through the power of Christ.

Being obedient doesn’t always work out well as it did for Daniel in this situation. Even if it doesn’t, you won’t regret living for Christ. Resolve to be holy, righteous, and Christ-like each day. Do it and see what God will do in you and through you!

Tony French

Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.

Joshua 21:45

Our Lord is a promise-keeping God. Nothing that God decreed concerning Israel was left unfulfilled. The Almighty keeps His Word.

The Lord makes promises to His people. In our day, Christ has promised salvation to all who believe. (Romans 10:9-13) The Savior has promised His presence forever. (Matthew 28:19-20) And He has guaranteed to bring us safely to Heaven in His time. (John 14:13) Awesome and mighty are His promises.

The Lord keeps His promises and always does what He says He will do. God’s power enables Him to keep His Word forever. No Word of the Lord will fail. All will come to pass.

Christian, are you trusting in the Word of God day by day? Every promise He makes will take place. Trust in the Lord!

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

Believers can trust in God’s presence.

An abiding belief in the unwavering presence of God was inherent in Daniel’s courage and obedience. While this facet of Daniel’s faith is not mentioned implicitly in this verse, Daniel’s trust that God was with him allowed him to follow God and obey God’s law. He knew that Yahweh was with him and that made all the difference.

As New Covenant believers, we have the same promise from God. Jesus declared He would be with us until the very end (Matthew 28:20). The letter of Hebrews reminds that God “will never leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We can live by this promise just as Daniel did so long ago.

I would add one caution today.  While we know that God is with us, it will not always FEEL like God is with us. We will not always have the ability to sense His presence. But, even when don’t feel it, we know that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail. We can press forward in obedience knowing God’s eternal presence is with us each step of the way.

Be encouraged, dear Christian. You are never alone. Christ is with us and will be forevermore. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

Believers can trust in God’s presence.

An abiding belief in the unwavering presence of God was inherent in Daniel’s courage and obedience. While this facet of Daniel’s faith is not mentioned implicitly in this verse, Daniel’s trust that God was with him allowed him to follow God and obey God’s law. He knew that Yahweh was with him and that made all the difference.

As New Covenant believers, we have the same promise from God. Jesus declared He would be with us until the very end (Matthew 28:20). The letter of Hebrews reminds that God “will never leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We can live by this promise just as Daniel did so long ago.

I would add one caution today.  While we know that God is with us, it will not always FEEL like God is with us. We will not always have the ability to sense His presence. But, even when don’t feel it, we know that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail. We can press forward in obedience knowing God’s eternal presence is with us each step of the way.

Be encouraged, dear Christian. You are never alone. Christ is with us and will be forevermore. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French

Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm. And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

Daniel 1:18-21

Believers must trust God for the future.

After Daniel and his friends refused to compromise their convictions, they were ultimately rewarded. They entered into the service of the King as trusted advisors and leaders. Scripture tells us that Daniel would serve at the highest levels of government for the entirety of his adult life. God was good to them.

However, before the accolades arrived, there were many long and difficult days. They were forced to learn a new culture and they were pushed into a new society. It was not an easy transition. They had to trust the Word of God day by day. These faithful Jews held fast to the belief that God was in control of their future—even when it didn’t appear to be the case.

Most assuredly, believers today must have the same faith and trust in God. We are having to learn a whole new culture and our society is changing rapidly. Many of these changes are not for the better. Therefore, supreme trust in God’s Word will be imperative as we seek to navigate the challenges that await us as we serve the Lord and follow Him each day.

Be encouraged, dear believer. God is faithful to all of His promises. God’s Word does not change. Jesus paved the way for us. And the Spirit of God is with us each step of the way.

Trust God for the future. This trust will enable us to finish our course.  We will never be ashamed of trusting God!

Tony French

“He has risen!” (Luke 24:6)  That simple, powerful phrase changed the course of history and eternity at once. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection had been predicted throughout His ministry. And now it was fulfilled just as He had said. He was no longer dead, but alive forevermore.

The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Without it, Paul tells us our “faith is vain and we are yet (still) in our sins.” (1^st Corinthians 15:17)  The resurrection, though an audacious claim, proved the veracity and truthfulness of the Messiah. It serves as verifiable evidence that everything He said was truth and that He was indeed the very Son of God.

What a difference the resurrection of Christ makes in our lives. Without it, we are lost and hopeless. Through the finished work of Christ, we are brought near to God through the wonder of reconciliation. (2^nd Corinthians 5:18-19) The resurrection gives us “the hope that our sins are paid for (Romans 4:25), death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14), and the hope of eternal life when we repent and turn to Christ, accepting what He has done for us.”[1]

How should we as believers respond to this hope? I would imagine that there would be many responses, but praise and sharing are two that come to mind. Our worship and praise should be centered on all that Christ has accomplished for us and in us through His completed work of sacrifice and resurrection.

Given that we have received so much, how can we not share it? Those early disciples centered their witness on Christ’s death and resurrection. We should do no less today.

He has risen indeed!

Tony French

[1] http://billygraham.org/decision-magazine/april-2011/the-resurrection-myth-or-history/

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:41-42

Hope is real.

Hope never fails.

It may seem that all hope is lost. But, it is not. Hope remains under the surface.

Perhaps your going through a season of hopelessness. Maybe you are in the Saturday between crucifixion and resurrection. Never fear, hope is on the way!

Tony French

As  the Easter Season draws near, don’t forget the cross. Let us not forget that Christ took upon Himself our sin and shame while he dwelt upon the cross. He didn’t deserve to be there, yet, He willingly gave His life for the redemption of our sin.

This Easter Season, look deeply at the cross. Jesus endured the shame and disgrace that was rightly ours. Let us never forget the remarkable love that Christ revealed to sinners as He died for the sins of all.

When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died;

My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down;

Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

Issac Watts

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

…We should trust in God’s Word.

Daniel resolved in his heart to live a holy and Godly life. Daniel made this decision in the midst of a pagan, decadent society. While he was not perfect, he was able to keep himself pure over the course of many years. 

What allowed Daniel to keep his witness while serving in the highest levels of government? While many things come to mind, I’m sure one of them was this—Daniel trusted in God’s Word.  His faith in God’s revelation kept him grounded and steady as he sought to live for Yahweh.

Daniel knew the Word of God. He knew the Law of Moses and he understood what was required of God’s people. If we are to persevere and keep our witness in tact we must spend time in the Bible as well. We have to read it and study it often to know what God expects of saved, born-again Christians.

Daniel trusted in God’s Word. He made a decision to follow its teachings even when it was difficult. He resolved to live by the Torah even though it did cost him and his friends. We ought to trust in Scripture for our daily lives. God knows what is best for us and He reveals that in His Word. We can trust Him through the difficulties, trials, and puzzling times of life. 

Finally, Daniel obeyed God’s Word. He choose the path of obedience and God blessed him. Let us resolve to obey the Word of God as well. Our obedience may not lead to the prominence that Daniel received. But, our obedience is necessary for God to work mightily in us.

Trust in God’s Word, Believer. It won’t be easy. But, obedience will always be worth the cost.  

Tony French

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  Daniel 1:8

Believers can trust in God’s presence.

An abiding belief in the unwavering presence of God was inherent in Daniel’s courage and obedience. While this facet of Daniel’s faith is not mentioned implicitly in this verse, Daniel’s trust that God was with him allowed him to follow God and obey God’s law. He knew that Yahweh was with him and that made all the difference.

As New Covenant believers, we have the same promise from God. Jesus declared He would be with us until the very end (Matthew 28:20). The letter of Hebrews reminds that God “will never leave us or forsake us.” (Hebrews 13:5)  We can live by this promise just as Daniel did so long ago.

I would add one caution today.  While we know that God is with us, it will not always FEEL like God is with us. We will not always have the ability to sense His presence. But, even when don’t feel it, we know that God’s Word is true and that His promises never fail. We can press forward in obedience knowing God’s eternal presence is with us each step of the way. 

Be encouraged, dear Christian. You are never alone. Christ is with us and will be forevermore. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Tony French