We are not the first righteous people to have to live in evil days, may God strength our hearts to give us wisdom on how to live lawful in lawless times!

2 Peter 3:17-18, “17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”

FOUR LESSONS FROM DANIEL & HIS FRIENDS IN BABYLON

  1. THEY WERE WILLING TO GO ALONG WITH NON-LAW ISSUES: They took on new names and interacted positively with pagans (Daniel 1:7). Daniel (“El is Judge”) to Beltershazzer (“Bel protects”). Hananiah (“Yah is gracious” to Shadrach (“Command of Aku”). Mishael (“Who is El?”) to Meshach (“Who is Aku?”). Azariah (“Yah has helped”) to Abednego (“Slave of Nebo”).
  2. THEY ASKED FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM WHEN PRESSED WITH MINOR ISSUES: Daniel asked the chief official if they could eat only food that was considered clean for the Jewish people (Daniel 1:8-21).
  3. THEY HELPED THE PAGANS SUCCEED IN THEIR ENDEAVORS: They served well in their government and helped interpret dreams (Daniel 2:17-49).
  4. THEY DIDN’T COMPROMISE WHEN IT CAME TO WORSHIPPING AND PRAYING TO GOD: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego choose the fiery furnace over bowing down to an idol (Daniel 3:1-30) and Daniel was sent to the lion’s den because he refused to stop praying (Daniel 6:1-28).

Matthew 10:16, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”

FIVE WAYS TO BE SHREWD & INNOCENT in 2020

  1. Don’t take on every battle- let God pick your battles.
  2. Speak up in public when God leads you to do so.
  3. Prosper wherever you go.
  4. Love people where they are, while staying where you are.
  5. Never worship or pray to any other god other than God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 24:12-14, “12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”