Integrity is who you are when no one is looking! The Story features a surprising array of people who have amazing integrity, and others who seem to have none at all. Remember the young man Joseph (chapter three) who was sold as a slave (by his own brothers) and became a prisoner in a foreign land? Far from home, with no family members or friends around to encourage or critique him, Joseph led a life of staggering integrity. He resisted temptation even though no one would have known…except God.
Here in chapter 18 we encounter four young men from Judah who have been exiled in the capital city of their sworn enemies. They were in a place where “no one was looking.” They could compromise and cut corners and no one would ever know…except God.
Integrity can seem like an antiquated value in our modern world. Every day we have opportunities to make little concessions. Indeed, our culture invites and encourages compromise:
“You won’t get caught.” “It’s no big deal…everyone is doing it.” “It’s the price of doing business.” “Lighten up; no one else cares about that, why should you?” “No one will ever know!”
Then we hear the same still small voice that spoke to Joseph in prison, and Daniel and his three friends in captivity. “I see. I care. I love you. Stand strong.”
All sorts of voices in our culture cry out, inviting us to compromise our faith. Think about some of these messages.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, page 119.
1. How do you think the story of Daniel and his friends would have served to encourage the Israelites in exile?
2. As Daniel explained the king’s dream and its interpretation, he was careful to not take credit but give all the glory to God (Daniel 2:27 – 30; The Story, pgs. 252 – 253). In what ways can we be tempted to take credit for what God does? How can we give Him the glory instead?
3. Jerusalem and God’s Temple were in ruins, and most of the Jews were living in exile. It is easy to see how one could lose faith. What helped them hold on to faith? What helps you hold on to faith when you experience difficulties?
4. When Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol, they did not know whether God would save them or not. How do you stand up for God, when you know the results could be disastrous?
5. How did God show Himself to be sovereign over human kingdoms and rulers? How does this help you view our world today?
ReplyDeletePoint to ponder…
Integrity is who you are when no one is looking!
The Story features a surprising array of people who have amazing integrity, and others who seem to have none at all. Remember the young man Joseph (chapter three) who was sold as a slave (by his own brothers) and became a prisoner in a foreign land? Far from home, with no family members or friends around to encourage or critique him, Joseph led a life of staggering integrity. He resisted temptation even though no one would have known…except God.
Here in chapter 18 we encounter four young men from Judah who have been exiled in the capital city of their sworn enemies. They were in a place where “no one was looking.” They could compromise and cut corners and no one would ever know…except God.
Integrity can seem like an antiquated value in our modern world. Every day we have opportunities to make little concessions. Indeed, our culture invites and encourages compromise:
“You won’t get caught.”
“It’s no big deal…everyone is doing it.”
“It’s the price of doing business.”
“Lighten up; no one else cares about that, why should you?”
“No one will ever know!”
Then we hear the same still small voice that spoke to Joseph in prison, and Daniel and his three friends in captivity. “I see. I care. I love you. Stand strong.”
All sorts of voices in our culture cry out, inviting us to compromise our faith. Think about some of these messages.
The above is taken from The Story: Getting to the Heart of God’s Story, page 119.
ReplyDeleteQuestions to consider…
1. How do you think the story of Daniel and his friends would have served to encourage the Israelites in exile?
2. As Daniel explained the king’s dream and its interpretation, he was careful to not take credit but give all the glory to God (Daniel 2:27 – 30; The Story, pgs. 252 – 253). In what ways can we be tempted to take credit for what God does? How can we give Him the glory instead?
3. Jerusalem and God’s Temple were in ruins, and most of the Jews were living in exile. It is easy to see how one could lose faith. What helped them hold on to faith? What helps you hold on to faith when you experience difficulties?
4. When Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego refused to bow down to the golden idol, they did not know whether God would save them or not. How do you stand up for God, when you know the results could be disastrous?
5. How did God show Himself to be sovereign over human kingdoms and rulers? How does this help you view our world today?