Title 《Determining Your Will》 (November 28)
Contents
《Set your intentions》
(Daniel 1:8-16)
(…) I thought the meat was salty because it eats salty seawater. It was my first time to see the sea after enlisting in the military, and on the first day I went to a sushi restaurant, I ate a piece of meat without soaking it in gochujang or soy sauce. Because sea meat was thought to be salty. But the meat was too bland. I found out after that. Even if you live in seawater, if you are alive, the salty taste will not be cut off. Our faith and our true faith are unaffected by the environment under any circumstance and overcome by faith. This morning, we are going to renew our attitude of faith through Daniel's faith.
① Daniel made up his mind.
Daniel and his friends are young men who were taken captive to Babylon when the kingdom fell. Because they were wise and good-looking, they trained them under special supervision in Babylon. Learned the study of Babylon and learned the Babylonian culture. They made them lead idolatry and licentious lives in the palace of Babylon. (…) Just as if you want to live in Rome, you have to obey Roman law, if you live in Babylon, you have to bow down before idols and compromise. But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's delicacies and with the wine he drank. And he had a hard time getting consent to let him eat only vegetables and water.(…) True faith makes a decision.(…)
② After you have decided on your will, trials come.
The world does not leave those who want to live righteously. All kinds of tests come. But when you are tempted, you must be firm in your will.(…) After Daniel made up his mind, he was thrown into the lions' den. The three friends were thrown into the blazing furnace fire. Whenever this happens, God helps us to establish our will. (…) Even if our circumstances are desperate, if we hold on to the word of Jesus, who is the way and the truth, our hope will surely come true. It is not true faith to be governed by what we see, hear, touch, or feel. There are times when it becomes more urgent when I pray for healing. Still, you have to believe without being shaken.(…)
③ When you decide on your will, you must be firm.
(…) Daniel is determined to “make up his mind that he will not defile himself with the king’s delicacies and with the wine he drinks.” It takes a decisive decision to overcome the environment and the world.(…) Daniel did not refuse to eat even if he wanted to eat, even if he died. Even a lion could not eat Daniel. that is impossible. “The Lord will keep in peace those who are strong on the cross… ” (Isaiah 26:3) Amen.