Line Upon Line

COURAGE OVERALL IS A DEFINING CHARACTERISTIC OF THE GODLY

Daniel started with a small issue to show courage, food at the king’s table. They were blessed for so doing and became the best students in the Babylonian government management program.

Daniel 1:8-15 NKJV 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies,.. 11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink..15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies.

Note the rewards for showing courage in this smaller matter.

17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

They were just teenagers- but they did the brave thing relying on God for protection. Those same young men demonstrated even greater courage in a direct religious conflict, the golden idol and then furnace.

Daniel 3:6-15 NKJV 6 “and whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast immediately into the midst of a burning fiery furnace..,all the people, nations, and languages fell down and worshiped the gold image which King Nebuchadnezzar had set up..12 “There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; these men, O king, have not paid due regard to you. They do not serve your gods or worship the gold image which you have set up.” 13 Then Nebuchadnezzar, in rage and fury.., 14 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the gold image which I have set up?

Can you imagine the level of fear that they faced? It would be off the charts. Yet note the courage and boldness of the young men is inspiring.

Daniel 3:16-18 NKJV 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 “If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.

God rewarded them for their courage and trust in Him and iron jaw determination and loyalty to the true God not paganism.

WHEN WE ARE LOYAL TO GOD AND NOT ASHAMED HE IS LOYAL TO US

This should also include not being ashamed of God’s ways and laws as well. We must learn to love and embrace the real Jesus and all the word of God.

Mark 8:34-38… He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 “Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

Another example of God rewarding courage is that of two prophets who pushed the people to finish the second Temple in Jerusalem. The governor had convinced the king into allowing him to use force to stop the building. It was outlawed. However these men told the people to restart the Temple project regardless of threats.

 

Ezra 5:1-3 Then the prophet Haggai and Zechariah.., prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them. 2 So Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build the house of God which is in Jerusalem; and the prophets of God were with them, helping them. 3… Tattenai the governor of the region…came to them and spoke thus to them: “Who has commanded you to build this temple and finish this wall?”

The governor wanted names of who to blame but they persuaded the officials and the people to finish the Temple in which Jesus the Messiah and His disciples would preach to the world.

Ezra 6:14 NKJV 14 So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.

The favor that had been gained for the God of Israel by Daniel and Esther and others had its effect on the royal family and the two prophets were blessed and winners with God. Another example that can be applied to all of us is the perseverance of the Philadelphia Church. Note:

Revelation 3:9-10 “Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie-I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. 10 “Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.

The Jews that were still unconverted and deceived by Satan like most of the world, were no doubt persecuting member of the Philadelphia church. In spite of this they, remained loyal.

8 “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.

They were faithful to the Bible all ten commandments and the name of Jesus of Nazareth. So they are rewarded with safety.

Rev21:8 “But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

One cannot be in God’s family if they are a coward, we must push past the fear and persevere. Our congregations today should also follow the Philadelphia model of persevering unto the end. Jesus demands that we not be ashamed of Him and have courage.