Integrity

It’s a new month with new opportunities! September is a cool month because it’s the beginning of the Fall and reminds me that I still have some time to get right before the new year. Also my mom’s birthday is on the 24th, so we celebrate her all month long.

 This post I really wanted to write about the importance of staying true to God and not compromising for the things of this world. This week our bible study group did a deep study on the book of Daniel chapters 1-6. As much as I’ve read about Daniel and the lion’s den, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace and other popular stories within the book, I’ve never paid attention until now about how much integrity they had and how committed they were to God.
 
The first example is in Daniel chapter 1. To summarize, King Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and later ordered that some of the men from the tribe of Judah be trained for three years so they could serve in the royal palace. Among those men were Daniel and his friends: Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah (later given the names of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego). The King wanted all the men to eat the royal food while learning the language and literature of the Babylonians (verses 3-7).
 
Now these men loved God with all their hearts and it first showed in verses 8-18.
 
Daniel and his friends did not want to defile themselves and eat the royal food, but instead eat vegetables for ten days. As you read more, you’ll see that after the ten days, the men were healthier and better nourished than those that ate the royal food. The Lord blessed them by giving them knowledge and wisdom. He even gave Daniel the understanding of dreams.
 
I can even go on to chapter 3 when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to worship an image of gold and as a result was thrown into a fiery furnace. However, they came out of that furnace unharmed. God was with them. Another example would be in chapter 5 when Daniel was offered riches and glory to interpret a dream about King Belshazzar (who was very arrogant), but refused to accept his gifts.  
 
I give all these examples to say how admirable these brave men were to uphold their integrity by not accepting the things of this world for riches and temporary fame. If you are a believer in Jesus and put your faith in God, it’s so important that we stay true to who we are and not compromise that for the sins of this world. Trust me it’s not always easy, but think about how much God will bless you for it.
 
It’s easy to follow the crowd, but standing out and doing what’s right in the eyesight of the Lord is what’s pleasing to him. During college, I went to so many parties simply because I was in college and felt that it was a part of the experience. However, one day I was in church and God spoke to me and told me I needed to stop because the calling over my life was too strong and I didn’t need the temptation. Now I’m not telling you to stop going to college parties. That’s between you and God (personal conviction). But I knew for me I had to stop because I knew God was calling me into ministry. Being obedient is a blessing and I’ve been blessed tremendously.
 
It was hard at first because it seemed like there was a party going on every weekend and I was bored in my bed. I still have friends in school so they would beg me to come out and I just had to keep saying no. Eventually they stopped asking because they knew what the answer was going to be. At first I felt like I was missing out but then I realized I wasn’t missing out on anything. It was the same thing every single time anyway.
 
What is something that God is telling you to stop or get rid of? Replace that with the royal food King Nebuchadnezzar tried to give to Daniel and his friends. What are some temptations that’s trying to get you away from God?  
 
“Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. ‘Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened’” (1 Peter 3: 13-14).
 
Never be afraid to live for God because even if no one ever tells you, trust that you are inspiring someone else to do the same. In Daniel chapter 6, even King Darius had to come and check on Daniel after he put him in the lion’s den. Once he saw that Daniel was okay and the Lord protected him, he decreed that no one spoke evil of the God that Daniel worshipped.  Those around knew how much integrity Daniel had and how much he loved the Lord. That’s the kind of life I want to live. What about you?
 
I love you,
 
Tyrah