August 1, 2023 - Daniel 1-6
Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. But the chief official of Nebuchadnezzar gave them the Babylonian names Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It was clearly a blatant attempt at compromising them and bringing them more into the Babylonian sphere. Not only the change of names, but all the other cultural and religious matters: the food, the demand for worship of the gold statue, and the prohibition against Daniel praying to his God.
Satan and the world constantly try to mold us in the likeness of the world. The pressure is relentless; it just never stops. If one temptation doesn’t work, another is just around the corner. The Babylonian officials were frustrated that they could find no fault in Daniel: “The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him” (6:4,5). May the same always be said of us!
Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God’s command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel’s Band!
Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!
Hold the gospel banner high;
On to vict’ry grand!
Satan and his host defy,
And shout for Daniel’s Band. -- P. P. Bliss (1873)