Taking a Stand - Alistair Crawford

In the final Listooder meeting of 2010, Alistair Crawford questions the adage that ‘every man has his price’ by looking at one individual in Scripture who never sold out. Despite the Babylonian pressure to conform, Daniel never abandoned his principles. Similarly, it is the desire of the devil to conform us to the ideas of the world, but as Believers, we have been given the responsibility of taking a stand for Christ. The Babylonians sought to change Daniel’s Godly attitudes by first changing his surroundings. He was given a new home, new environment and new influences to turn his attention away from his God. Many young Christians find that, once they leave the familiar, safe surroundings of home, the ‘bright lights of the world’ become too great a temptation. They also attempted to give Daniel a new knowledge, exposing him to different beliefs, opinions and standards. Believers today are faced with many things that are legally, culturally and fashionably acceptable, but which are contrary to the Word of God – social drinking, dirty jokes, sexual relationships, acceptance of homosexuality are all things that we are expected to partake in, yet the standard of God’s Word has not changed. The Babylonians even tried to change Daniel’s diet. The things which he once had an appetite for were removed, and food was placed before him which, according to the law, would defile him before God. Our hunger, our thirst for Christ should be strong, lest we find our appetite turning towards the things of this world, rather than the things of God. Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. He took a stand. He had a standard. It is imperative that we, likewise, take our stand. In many simple ways, whether at work, school, college or home, we can take a stand for Christ, nailing our colours to the mast and declaring the Word of God as our standard. A stand like this takes courage. Daniel’s courage came from God. As the children’s song goes ‘Daniel was a man of prayer’. Each day, he spent time with the Lord, each day he asked for help and strength to take that stand. The God who helped him to stand up against the Babylonians is willing to help us to stand up against this world, if we simply ask. If we do take our stand, then God has promised to bless us, ‘He will remember his own’ – 1 Samuel 2:30 – Them that honour Me, I will honour.