“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.” (I Corinthians 16:13, NKJV)
Have you ever faced a situation in which you must either take a stand for what is right or compromise your integrity? If you have, you probably discovered that resisting pressure to go along with the majority or popular opinion is not easy. In fact, sometimes it can be costly.
TO STAND OR TO COMPROMISE?
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah had a decision to make. They and other Jewish young men of the royal line had been taken as captives to Babylon. They had been selected to receive a special education at the palace. While this sounds like a great honor, there was a problem. To eat the king’s food would go against the Jewish dietary laws. Do they resist or quietly adapt to their new surroundings? Do they stand firm or compromise their beliefs?
“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8, ESV)
Although the Bible does not tell us the age of Daniel and his friends, they were possibly young teenagers. Yet even in his youth, Daniel showed wisdom in how he handled the situation. He did not show anger or become argumentative. Instead, he asked for a ten-day trial of eating vegetables and drinking water. Then Melzar, the king’s eunuch, could compare their appearance to those who ate the king’s meat. The four thrived on that simple diet.
TODAY’S CHALLENGES
The situations we face in 21st century life may be different from those encountered by the four Hebrew youths more than 2500 years ago. Our challenges may come in our workplace, our community, or even within our home. When challenges come, God’s Word shows us how to respond with wisdom.
One passage that can offer guidance on how to stand firm yet be wise is I Peter 3:15-17.
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good . . . But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (ESV)
These verses provide three simple steps that show us how to wisely face challenges to our faith.
- Be able to defend our faith. Know what God’s Word says.
- Be gentle and respectful while standing firm.
- Be willing to suffer for doing good.
a firm decision
When Daniel faced the question of whether to obey God’s laws or adapt to his new circumstances, he “purposed in his heart”— determined, made a firm decision — that he would not go against God’s law. Are we willing to make the same firm decision when challenges come our way? Or do we rationalize that one little compromise isn’t so bad. It’s minor, nothing serious.
The truth is that one compromise starts us on a slippery path. One compromise soon leads to another, and then another. We must purpose in our heart to stand firm without wavering.
When we take a stand for God, He will take a stand for us.
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (I Peter 3:12, ESV)
PRAYER: Lord, when I face situations that challenge my faith, help me to purpose in my heart to stand firm. I trust You to guide me and to give me strength to choose obedience to Your Word rather than compromise.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
