Oak Hill Church of Christ 6-2-24 Message: "Be A Person of Integrity"

Oak Hill Church of Christ preaching minister, Randy Sterling, delivers a message on remembering that what God thinks is virtue is the only morality that matters.

Daniel was stuck in a difficult position. The King, who had been remarkably supportive of him in the past had decreed, )as a result of political stumping on the part of his advisors) that only the god worshiped by the state was fit to be prayed to. Daniel's God was not to be revered and reverence for God was outlawed under penalty of death by lion.

It would've been easy for Daniel to say within himself "I'll continue to believe in God but I'll just bow before this statue so I can keep my job and not get in trouble." That sounds like a rational thing to say. Maybe "I know the heathen god is just a statue, so if I bow before it, it doesn't matter. God knows I believe in him, so that's fine."

But, that wasn't what Daniel decided to do. Daniel fervently (as did his three friends) remained an open believer in God and would not bow before any foreign god. Daniel remained steadfast in his decision even when it meant he was going to be tossed into the den of lions. The king, it seems, was regretful of the whole situation, realizing he had been played politically by his advisors and now the very valuable counselor, Daniel, was going to suffer the consequences.

As you remember the story of Daniel, consider: What things are you being asked to bow before today? Have you found it harder in your life to be open in your faith for fear of ridicule? Do you know anyone who lost their job or their social circle because of their honest faith?

At the end of the story, of course, Daniel is saved. God protected him because of his faith. Daniel didn't surrender; he didn't give in to the pressures of society, nor of the politicians forcing him to denounce God. Consider the faith of Daniel and strengthen your own faith in God that it might be strong enough to resist the fearsome threats of the world you live in.