Many of us are careful to hide or disguise our personal convictions when we are in public. At work, school, and in our every day encounters with culture, we choose to “lay low” and not be too noisy about our beliefs. We think that by doing this we will be able to maintain our “position” in society—that we’ll succeed in the business world or keep relationships with others who may not understand or appreciate our faith. We do this because we don’t want to lose what we have worked so hard to obtain.
The story of Daniel is an interesting one because, instead of being demoted, he was actually promoted as a result of his not-so-private faith.
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. (Daniel 1:8-9 NASB)
Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.
(Daniel 6:3 NASB)
We are not guaranteed that by remaining faithful to God in the midst of a non-faith-friendly culture we will be promoted to places of honor. (There are many accounts of people who have lost their position because they chose to stand by their convictions.) But we need to realize that “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Pr 21:1). In other words, God is ultimately the One controls our destiny. Daniel knew this, which is why he was able to stay faithful, even when faced with death (see Daniel 6).
We should never “lay low” in order to maintain our place in this world. We should live our lives in public the same way we live them in private: uncompromisingly faithful.
Lord, make my heart like Daniel’s and give me faith like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego who, when faced with the choice to bow to another god (compromise) or be thrown into a fiery furnace, said:
“If we must perish, so be it. Our God is able to deliver us from this death, but even if He doesn’t we will not bow…” (Daniel 3:16-18, paraphrased)
