Session 5

Will you dare to be different?

From Making Bold Moves: A 7-Day Devotional

All of us will face a moment when we have to choose to trust God or do what others expect. For Daniel, that moment came when he was selected to enter the king’s court.

In this new environment, Daniel was expected to live according to Babylonian laws and customs that went against God’s commands. Daniel made a bold move in resolving not to defile himself. He could have been punished or killed for not doing as he was told.

Like Daniel, the decisions we make each day show where we place our faith. Some decisions will be socially acceptable. Others will require the courage to be different. Our consequences for living differently may not be as extreme as Daniel’s, but they are there.

Following Jesus instead of following the crowd can cost us friendships, promotions, or influence. When these things are on the line, we get to choose: Will we give in to fear or live by faith and trust the Lord? There is no middle ground. We can’t live in fear of others and have faith at the same time.

Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.”

That’s exactly what God did for Daniel and his friends. Their faithfulness was rewarded at the end of their training. “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1:17).

Reflect:

• Think of a time when you let the fear of man overcome your faith in God. Looking back, how would you approach the situation differently today?
• What’s one step you can take to trust God with the decisions you face today? Don’t let fear stop you from taking your next step.