It is estimated that Daniel and his companions were mere teenagers when taken into Babylonian captivity. What would you have done? If you were a teenager, taken into a foreign country (a pagan nation) for the rest of your life, what would you have done? If you were given the opportunity to live, not among the captives, but among royalty, what would you have done? Would you have been tempted to compromise your faith? Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah did not budge in their faith and devotion to the Lord!
Test of Faith: Partake of God-forbidden foods. In chapter 1, the king appointed daily provisions of delicacies and wine from his table. Daniel and his friends refused, and ate only vegetables and water. In the end, they were found to be “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm” (1:20). Doing things God’s way is ten times better! Faith tested: NO compromise!
Test of Faith: Bow down with everyone else. In chapter 3, the three Hebrew friends were pressured, when “all the people…fell down and worshiped the gold image,” to do likewise, lest they be thrown into a burning fiery furnace (3:7, 15). Their response: “We do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the image” (3:17). The king began to take notice of the Most High God. Faith tested: NO compromise!
Test of Faith: Notoriety, wealth and power. When Belshazzar offered Daniel a purple robe, a gold chain and the third place in his kingdom, was Daniel tempted to tell the king something pleasant that would make him feel good? Daniel told the king to keep his gifts and rewards; he would stay true to the message of God, and he delivered a message of doom. The king kept his word and was slain that night. Faith tested: NO compromise!
Test of Faith: Stop praying to God or hide your devotion to Him. The governors and satraps wanted to trap Daniel, so they convinced the king to make prayer to anyone other than the king punishable by death. Daniel knew this. Did that stop him? Did he decide to back off for those thirty days, tone it down and hide his faith for a while? He went home, opened his windows (no hiding), knelt down, prayed and thanked God. Consequently, he was thrown into the lions’ den but spared by God. The king took notice. Faith tested: NO compromise!
These boys were young when first tempted to compromise their faith in God. How often have you been tempted to compromise your faith, maybe even just a little? Will your response be as definitive as these Hebrews: “We will not!”?