May 11, 2025

Today, we continue our big summer Bible study on the book of Daniel called Thrive.  It’s funny because we have only covered around seven verses so far, and I think you can already see how relevant this book is and how much we can learn from it.  Remember how we met Daniel?  He was a 15-year-old boy, ripped from his home, never to see his family again. The Babylonians conquered Jerusalem; they even desecrated God in the process, and he was part of the 25% of people captured and brought back to Babylon.  He has been exiled and lives as a prisoner of war in a hostile land.  But it doesn’t end there; he and his friends have been selected to be part of a three-year indoctrination program, to erase who they were and make them Babylonian.  This is intense and painful, and there is immense pressure to conform to what their oppressors want rather than stand as the person God calls them to be.  This book is so relevant to our lives today.  While we haven’t been besieged and conquered by Babylon, we also face stressful situations, tests, trials, and the pressure to be what people and this world want us to be rather than staying true to God.  Life isn’t easy; we face brutal circumstances, and Daniel’s life proves that regardless of the circumstances or pressures we face, we can stay true to God and become who God calls us to be.  So often we live in survival mode, just trying to make it from one day to the next.  We look at our circumstances, and they aren’t easy. Life keeps pushing against us, people are hard to deal with, the world seems set against us in so many ways, yet this book and Daniel’s life teach us that we don’t have to live that way, we can thrive even when our circumstances push hard against us, just like Daniel does. 

Last week, Ken told us that we will face tests and trials in our lives; this is reality.  It is unavoidable.  He gave us five truths and five questions to ask.  Do you remember that? He talked about the source of our problems.  Most of the time, the source of our problem is us; sometimes it’s the world, our enemy, and sometimes, it can be God.  That last one is pretty difficult to wrap our hearts and minds around, that sometimes our loving God tests us and allows pain in our lives.  In this study, verse two stands out, and we have intentionally highlighted it throughout the first few weeks of this conversation with Daniel. 

Daniel 1:1 …King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah… NLT

The children of Israel are devastated, conquered, and their city is destroyed.  It’s horrible, their lives are turned completely upside down, and Daniel and his friends get to spend 70 years as prisoners of war in a hostile land, and by the way…God did it.  Whew, that is a lot to deal with.  But we must understand that we will face tests and trials in our lives, and our loving God often wants us to respond well to them to grow and become the people He created us to be.  Tests will come, and last week here in Dillsburg and next week in Heidlersburg, we dive into how we respond to them, why God would allow them, what to do when we have problems, and how we can be better for them.  It’s interesting, none of us like adversity, and we struggle because it is painful.  But we love you too much not to address this incredibly important truth.  We will walk through problems.  We will be tested in life, and can be better for all we walk through.  To help with that, we have five questions that can get us into the mindset we see in Daniel as we walk through tests in our lives. This is a tool to use the next time you find yourself in a tough spot (and you will).  So, when that happens, we hope you remember and work through these five questions!  So, please take a picture of this slide and reference it when you need it, and you will need it.

The 5 Essential Questions We Must Ask When Life Tests Us!

1.      What does this problem reveal about me? God uses tests to inspect us.

2.      What is this problem teaching me? God uses problems to correct us.

3.      Where is this problem leading me? God uses problems to direct me.

4.      How could this problem be protecting me? God uses problems to protect us.

5.      How can I grow from this problem in my life? God uses problems to perfect us.

As I sat and listened to Ken’s talk last week, I had a scripture that kept hitting my heart and mind. 

2 Corinthians 7:10 Distress that drives us to God does that. It turns us around. It gets us back in the way of salvation. We never regret that kind of pain. But those who let distress drive them away from God are full of regrets, end up on a deathbed of regrets. 11 And now, isn't it wonderful all the ways in which this distress has goaded you closer to God? You're more alive, more concerned, more sensitive, more reverent, more human, more passionate, more responsible. Looked at from any angle, you've come out of this with purity of heart. MSG

While adversity and tests aren’t all that fun in the moment, God continues to tell us they will come, and we can grow and be better people for them if we respond the right way. This is the key to thriving in life; you won’t avoid adversity, so how you respond to it will determine your life experience.   Have you ever heard the saying “NO PAIN, NO GAIN?”  It’s something we have heard before and is true in all aspects of life.  You want to get healthy physically?  Well, that is all about changing how you eat and exercising.  You want to be stronger?  That’s all about tearing up your muscles, allowing them to grow.  Getting fit isn’t easy, especially when you first start. It takes some painful, sore, and hungry days to get to those easier days with dieting and different choices.  How about emotionally or spiritually?  One of the hardest things to watch is someone unwilling to address their heart condition or deal with their pain and their past.  I’ve often struggled watching people unwilling or unable to address things in their hearts that could lead to so much more in their lives…but the reality is to address our hearts, and deal with our hurts and wounds is hard, it’s painful, and it takes courage and effort to find healing in those essential areas of our lives. Not many are willing to embrace the concept of NO PAIN, NO GAIN, even if they know on the other side of pain are the gains they want physically, emotionally, spiritually…or any area of life. You will see this principle today; there is something better on the other side of tests, trials, and pain in our lives.  On top of that, it’s under the stress and pressure of pain that who we are as people on the inside is revealed on the outside.  Remember, God’s interested in your heart.  As people, we can all fool each other.  We can smile, be nice to each other, have super positive social media posts, and convince each other we are good people while struggling mightily on the inside, but to God, it’s all about the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7 “…The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." NLT

This is so important, and it’s why we will face tests and trials in life, because God cares about us, and wants to see us grow into the people He called us to be, and we must get this, that growth is all about our heart condition.  What’s on the inside matters, and nothing reveals your inner world more than adversity; pressure squeezes the truth out of our lives.  This is why everyone looks classy when winning, but you can see who someone really is when they are losing.  This is also why comfort and settling into life without challenging ourselves is so dangerous. If we would rather be comfortable and do the least, trying to avoid tests and pain in our lives, we won’t grow.

This idea leads us back to our study of Daniel today. Throughout the 70 years of Daniel’s life, we see him go through many different tests. As he passes these tests, responding as God wants, he is rewarded with more power and influence.  He keeps getting promoted, becoming the King’s most trusted advisor.  I want us to focus on this concept of tests in our lives and their importance today, because it’s tests and trials in life that scripture says help us become the people God desires, whom He can trust with more.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. NIV

No pain, no gain.  While it’s never fun, the trials and tests of life allow us to be mature and complete, not lacking anything; that is when we are ready for more in our lives, and not before.  Now, if you are thinking, you may be asking what exactly God is testing in these painful trials in life?  Solomon tells us.

Proverbs 17:3 Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. NLT

The Lord is testing your heart; your character is what matters to God. So many of us want titles, power, and influence, but we may not have the character to carry those things.  With great power comes great responsibility, and not everyone should or is ready for that yet.  Paul reinforces this idea here…

1 Thessalonians 2:4 But we speak the Good News because God tested us and trusted us to do it. When we speak, we are not trying to please people, but God, who tests our hearts. NCV

Tests and trials put us under the kind of pressure that reveals our true selves and helps shape and mold our hearts into the people God calls us to be.  Throughout the book of Daniel, we see his character tested, and each time he passes a test, he gains more influence, power, and promotion in his life. Why? Because God knows He can trust him with it!  Before we move on, this is the exact issue we see with so many celebrities or star athletes.  Have you ever been amazed how a person can be given 50 million dollars, wealth, and fame to play a game, and then just been amazed that they crashed out, failed, fell to drugs, and ended up with nothing?  I’ve been there, thinking, wow, you are given fame and fortune, and all you have to do is stay in shape and out of trouble. Why can’t they do it?  It’s because giving them power, influence, or throwing millions of dollars at them doesn’t mean they have the character to carry it; the pressure exposes the heart, and is why there are so many sad stories of talented people who fall or don’t make it.   Remember our big principle of the day…NO PAIN, NO GAIN…pain refines our hearts, makes us mature and complete, not lacking anything.  In these tests, who we are is squeezed out, and we can grow.  We can be honest, sometimes we like what gets squeezed out, and sometimes we don’t, but we can be better for the tests we face, and today we will see four things squeezed out of Daniel’s life that God wants to see in ours…so let’s get into this our study. 

Today, we will see Daniel face an important test at a young age. It’s a test we can all relate to, just without the threat of being executed if we don’t conform. Daniel will be asked to conform to his culture and do something he knows isn’t right, and we will see him respond incredibly well and pass this test.  Let’s remember where we left Daniel.  He and his friends have been selected for this three-year brainwashing program.  They were given Babylonian names, would learn the language, eat their food, embrace Babylonian gods, and in three years, there would be nothing left of who they were. 

Daniel 1:5,8  The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service. 8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. NLT

So, this is a big moment for Daniel.  He is a prisoner of war and is entering this program, and these aren’t suggested guidelines.  He is being told this is what he will do.  But God has given them rules on what they should eat, and Daniel isn’t willing to compromise here.  I love how it reads; he was determined not to defile himself by eating this food.  This may seem like the wrong hill to die on to us, I mean, food is just food…but the King’s food was dedicated to his god, and Daniel doesn’t want to violate his promise to God on what He will eat.  Accepting their food would be a major compromise, giving the Babylonians more of who he is. The food was an intentional part of the brainwashing process, making this a bigger moment than it appears; it’s a test…another moment to stand tall or give ground to Babylon.  So, what makes this such a stressful test?  Well, Daniel doesn’t exactly have a voice here…he isn’t free, he is a prisoner, he isn’t sitting at Baker’s Diner browsing a menu.  Not eating this food would be more than an insult to the King; it most likely means he will die.  Talk about NO PAIN, NO GAIN…there doesn’t seem to be a way through this test.  Try to think of the tension and fear he would need to push through (and remember how young he is!). Daniel is being tested, and the pressure squeezes four things out of his heart that God wants to see in us, too.  I will give you all four, and then we can talk, so get your phone back out and take a picture of this screen too!

4 Things God Looks For In Our Lives:

1.      Integrity - Daniel never forgot who he was.

2.      Discipline - He controlled his ego and his appetite.

3.      Courage - He is willing to stand alone and stand up to the King.

4.      Humility - He treated his authority humbly and respectfully.

God wants to see these things coming out of us as we deal with life.  This is when we can be trusted with more in life, and I’d add that if we want to thrive in this difficult world, these are four things we need. Let’s take some time and talk about each one of them, how they are seen in Daniel, how they helped him pass this test, and what they can do in our lives. 

Integrity 

Daniel never forgot who he was.  Integrity is all about being the same person in every environment, when people are looking, and just as importantly, when they are not.  A person of integrity is known for being honest and having strong moral principles.  Daniel’s integrity is on full display in this test because he will not compromise who he is even under this immense pressure to conform. 

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. NLT

This is a big test, and Daniel’s integrity is what keeps him on track under pressure. 

Romans  12:2 Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. MSG

So many of us struggle with this. We aren’t the same person when people are looking that we are when no one is. We struggle to be our unique selves and often feel pressure to conform and fit in, meaning we hide our true selves and do what we need to fit in, maybe being different people in every environment.  I love this quote on integrity from Stephen C Paul here.    

“To live with integrity requires that you never forget who you are.” - Stephen C Paul

That’s not easy to do with all that life and people throw at us, because we live in a world much like Babylon, trying to get you to conform rather than stand as your true self. 

Discipline 

Daniel’s discipline is on full display in this test. He doesn’t let his emotions or appetites direct his life.  I want to say this because discipline is something that I’m very passionate about and see as the key to success in all areas of life.  This may be the most underrated and overlooked thing we need to thrive in life.  Not only is it key, but discipline is the most attainable superpower in life.  It’s attainable because it is a choice, and someone with the determination and focus to make this choice will experience good from it. Discipline is living in a controlled way, which involves obeying rules or standards and not breaking away from them to do what you feel like doing next.  It’s the secret to getting to where we want to go, but as attainable as it is, it’s a rare quality to see in people’s lives.  In all areas of your life, physically, emotionally, spiritually, and professionally, this is a major key, and the thing about it being a choice means it’s not exclusive or something some can have that others can’t, it is there for us all; we just have to choose it, then stay focused on staying true to that choice, even when we feel like doing something else.  One of my favorite quotes recently comes from Patrick Lencioni…

“Success is not a matter of mastering subtle, sophisticated theory but rather of embracing common sense with uncommon levels of discipline and persistence. “ Patrick Lencioni

I love this quote because it destroys some thinking we convince ourselves of.  We like to think things are more complicated than they are. In many ways, it means we can’t do anything about our lives, which conveniently allows us to stay where we are, get comfortable, and do nothing because life is what it is.  But you need to understand something very important.  God wants you to grow, and you can, but it will take discipline.  The guy at the gym who looks so fit isn’t lucky, he is disciplined.  The woman who seems so centered and healthy, her life isn’t easier than yours; she is disciplined and makes choices consistently over time that allow her to thrive, making decisions led by God, even when she may not feel like it.  This isn’t luck, it's discipline, and we can all have it, but we have to choose it…remember NO PAIN, NO GAIN…and sometimes discipline is putting off something we may enjoy in the moment to have something better. 

Courage 

Daniel was not only willing to stand up for what is right, but was also willing to stand alone if necessary. That is courageous and also shows Daniel’s obedience to God’s Word!  

Exodus 23:2 “…Never follow a crowd in doing wrong.” GWT

That is easier said than done!  It takes courage not just to follow the crowd and do what everyone else is doing. We have all been there at some point in our lives. Explaining that yeah, we did the dumb thing, but everyone was doing it!  It takes courage to stand up, even alone, to do what’s right.

“The right way is not always the popular or easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.”  Margaret Chase Smith

Humility 

Through this test, we see Daniel’s humility. While the first three characteristics allow him to stand strong and tall, I believe his humility allows people to listen to and accept him and his convictions.  Daniel treated the authority God placed over him with respect, which gave him a voice and a way through. Let’s finish the story, which brings us to the end of the book's first chapter, and talk some.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded." 11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 "Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water," Daniel said. 13 "At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see." 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. NLT

You see it, right?  Daniel handles the situation with humility.  He doesn’t scream and yell, or run away; he presents the issue to those in authority over him.  He hears their concerns and even offers a solution.  It was his integrity that wouldn’t allow him to compromise, his discipline that allowed him to stick with it, his courage allowed him to stand up, even alone, but his humility provided the opportunity to do what was right.  As the chapter comes to a close, we see that Daniel passed the test, and God knows Daniel can be trusted with more.

Daniel 1:17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams. 18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. 20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. 21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.  NLT

Daniel is tested and passes.  God sees the things coming from his heart that He wants to see, and He gives Daniel more power and influence.  Life pressed in hard, and what came out of Daniel was integrity, discipline, courage, and humility.  Listen, in life, you will be tested.  Why would a loving God put us through tests?  Because God has a dream for your life, you are here for a reason, you have a unique calling, and he puts us through testing to give us all we need to step into that calling and live our best lives.  God has a purpose for you, and His plans are to prosper you, not harm you, and He wants to give you more, but He knows you have to be ready for it; it’s all about our heart condition, having the character to carry more in our lives.  No one enjoys tests and pain in the moment, but we need to understand that God is up to something, He is working on the areas that matter most, and it’s through the pressures of life that He is shaping us into who we were created to be so we can thrive not just survive in this difficult world.

So, as we close, I want you to personalize this today with a few questions.  Let’s start here.  What is God’s big dream, or unique goal for your life?  Have you ever thought that God may be up to something bigger in your life?  How could you live that out?  Have you ever considered the concept of tests and trials in life?  How do you respond when you are walking through pressure-filled situations?  Be honest here.  Do you like what comes out of your heart? If you aren’t sure what is coming out of your heart, I can help.  It comes out through the words you speak and your thinking.  If we don’t understand that we will be tested in life, we will struggle, wondering why life is so hard, if God is even there or loves us, or if something is wrong with us, or if our faith isn’t working.  But if we understand this concept, we can grow and be transformed, we can thrive, not just survive, in this difficult world we live in.  So, this is the question that I want you to really reflect on this week.  What is God up to in your life?  What tests and trials are you in the middle of right now?  In what ways is God working on you today?  And one last thought: Is there a specific issue you keep facing repeatedly in your life?  Could it be a test?  Could it be that God loves you so much that He will just keep placing that test in your life over and over again until you pass it?  Could it be that God is doing that because there is more in store for you on the other side of that test?  Could his plans be to prosper you, not to harm you? 

This is so important. When we get this, we can grow into the people God called us to be, we can thrive, not just survive, in this difficult world…just like Daniel.