(Click on the email address above to comment or contribute)

Several weeks ago, I was asked to substitute teach for the 01/23/2022 lesson. Unfortunately, due to another rise in COVID, we will not be able to meet as a class. Posted here are a few comments, based on my personal experiences and observations, that I would have made in class as we studied this topic. 

In this lesson we are shown how Daniel, early in his life, was challenged to maintain his integrity relative to DIET. The non-believing King had established dietary practices that the King felt would produce superior servants. Daniel was faced with obeying the King or being true to his faith.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC

Daniel essentially said "OK, let us try it our way for ten days and then compare us with the other trainees and see who had the best results." Daniel exercised his FAITH. His FAITH was that if he obeyed God, the results would ultimately be greater and would be God's will.

Interesting thing about FAITH in God's word, teachings, instructions. I have found that my faith should be in the truth of God's word ... not in thinking I know what God wants the result to be. 

SEE "EVEN IF"

The concept of "lean not on your own understanding" and "God's ways are not our ways" comes to mind. There is also short-term gain and long-term gain. What we ultimately want to gain is God's blessings resulting from our obedience.

What may stand in the way of our maintaining our INTEGRITY in today's society?

Keeping/getting THE job?

Making more money?

Keeping friends?

Winning praise?

Having greater power and influence?

Getting the girl or the guy?

Peer, social pressure?

Making that sale?

Selling that house?

Winning that election?

Could it be that we sometimes allow our INTEGRITY to slide a little bit in order to attain a short-term or immediate goal? Without realizing that God had something better lined up for us, something we could not see right now, that has been lost or delayed due to our momentary failure to exercise our faith and by not understanding the value of maintaining our INTEGRITY. Remember, FAITH is the belief in things NOT SEEN. Maybe when what we think or feel conflicts with what the WORD tells us we should do, even when we DO tap into our FAITH for guidance, we should go with our FAITH rather than our feelings or suggestions from others.

One of the nice things about getting older is that we have experience with exercising our FAITH, or failing to, that we can draw from to help ourselves, and others, when we come to a crossroads. Witnessing and testifying come to mind.

Wisdom, understanding, knowledge seem to be cumulative.  As we exercise our FAITH and maintain our INTEGRITY, God may use us for His purposes in the future as He did with Daniel.

“For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done.” Isaiah 46:9-10

WE CAN BE A CHILD OF GOD