Dare to be a Daniel!

These words, which have been an incentive to many Christians, were written by Phillip B. Bliss in 1873 (link). They capture beautifully the courage and determination of this servant of God, taken from home and family at a young age, and willing to stand firm for God amongst the idolatry of Babylon.

It is interesting to note, however, that Daniel’s faithfulness also led him to go against his own brethren. When he and his three friends decided not to defile themselves with “the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Dn 1:8), they were set apart from the group of young men being prepared for royal service. This group of young men was composed of Israel’s children, not gentiles (Dn 1:3). The young men who continued to eat the king’s food were Daniel’s brethren!

I wonder what their reaction was? Did they resent Daniel’s attitude? Did they despise him? The Bible is silent in this respect. It also fails to mention any insistence, on Daniel’s part, that his brethren needed to follow his example, or any tendency to look down on those who didn’t. Daniel and his three friends walked the path that the Lord put before them, without compromise and without pride.

How hard to be a Daniel! If our brethren are not willing to follow the lonely path that the Lord has put before us, how easy to retreat, unwilling to go on alone. When we do go, how easy to do so with a spirit of pride and superiority.

Dare to obey the Lord in every little detail, without compromise and without pride! Dare to be a Daniel!