Christians should become "Daniel" in this era --- staying pious in a country that doesn't fear God and sticking to the truth with an extraordinary spirit, claimed a preacher of a house church in Shanghai.
The preacher said in a Sunday sermon that Daniel kept himself holy in an evil time and God's eyes were on His servant, quoting Daniel 1:8.
Though captive, Daniel was valuable for being called by God: God's wisdom and glory were manifested through his interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream; he prayed for his fellows in crisis (Daniel 9:19) and confessed his people's sins and asked for God's mercy. In addition, he received a vision regarding the end times, namely a great war.
The Bible records, " In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. The message was true and was about a great conflict. He understood the message and had understanding of the vision.In those days I, Daniel, was mourning for three full weeks. I didn't eat any rich food, no meat or wine entered my mouth, and I didn't put any oil on my body until the three weeks were over." (Daniel 10:1-3)
His third good character trait was his extraordinary spirit in an ungodly era. "He did this because Daniel, whom the king called Belteshazzar, was found to have a keen mind and knowledge and understanding, and also the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems." (Daniel 5:12)
Moreover, he held fast to his faith in days of persecution. Not afraid of the king's decree and being framed by his fellow officials, he still feared God and was unafriad before the lions. Given ungodly requests from powerful people, he acted with reverence according to God's truth.
"For God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you demonstrated for his name by serving the saints-and by continuing to serve them." (Hebrews 6:10)
The preacher stated that Daniel set his heart on seeking God in a lost time and he was also the person God looked for in this age. "So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."(Daniel 9:3)
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. (Daniel 12:2-3)
- Translated by Karen Luo
