Making a Proper Appeal

Have you ever thought about the way you've made appeals in your past, and was your appeal granted? God supplied us with the Word of God, which can prepare us for every situation.

God is in control: Our Father is all knowing, and He is in charge of world events. God overrules and removes rebellious leaders who defy him. God will overcome evil; no one is exempt. But He will deliver the faithful who follow Him. Although nations vie for world control now, one day Christ's kingdom will replace and surpass the kingdoms of this world we live in. We can take solace in knowing our faith is sure because our future is secure in Christ. We must have courage and put our faith in God, who controls everything.

Daniel and his three friends are examples of dedication and commitment. They did not give into pressure from an ungodly society because they had a clear "Purpose in life".

Perseverance: Daniel served from 605 BC to 535 sum total of 70 years in a foreign land. His captors were hostile to God , yet he did not compromise his faith in God. He was truthful, persistent in prayer, and disinterested in power for personal glory.

"God's Faithfulness:" God was faithful in Daniel's life. He delivered him from prison, from a den of lions, and from enemies who hated him. You see God cares for people and deals patiently with them. Saints we can trust God to be with us thorough any trial. Because he has been faithful to us, we should remain faithful to him.

I know that many of us have had times when we thought to compromise rather that to stand on the word of God. Daniel 1:3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles. 1:4- youths in whom was no defect, who were good looking, showing intelligence in every branch of wisdom, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability for serving in the king's court; and he ordered him to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldean's.

"DANIEL'S RESOLVE"

1:8 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. 1:9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. Daniel appealed to the overseer "please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel 1:13 Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of youths who are eating the kings choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see". 1:14 So he listened to them in this matter and test them for ten days. 1:15 At the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food. 1:16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. 1:17 As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

God loves us just as much as he loved these four young men. I'm reminded of another scripture 1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before him, that, if we ask anything according to His Will, He hears us. (15) And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. At the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented before Nebuchadnezzar. Now the king spoke with them and not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's personal service. 1:20 As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.

Now I'd like to fast forward as Daniel is propelled in the sight of the king, he promoted Daniel and gave him many gifts, and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

2:19 And Daniel made request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego over the administration of the province of Babylon which Daniel was at the king's court. Something we all must grasp, that the highest test of our true attitudes is not when we make our appeal but our response if our appeal is turned down. A gracious response at this point will not only be a proper testimony, but it may also prompt the one who has turned down our appeal to reconsider. It will certainly cause our authority to be more open to future appeals which we may need to make. OK, if our appeal is accepted, we also have an obligation to demonstrate a right spirit. That would involve genuine gratefulness and any expected follow-through. Daniel is one of God's best examples of how to make wise and effective appeals. He served under four political rulers and on two occasions could not obey the instructions that were given to him.

In the first episode he appealed and was given what he requested. In the second instance an appeal was useless, so he followed his convictions and was cast into a den of lions. Daniel had so effectively followed the aspects of being under authority, having the right motives and having attitudes, that the king spent a whole day and a sleepless night trying to spare Daniel from the consequences of the law that he had to violate.

In Babylon's religious culture, statues were frequently worshiped. Nebuchadnezzar hoped to use this huge image (ninety feet high by nine feet wide) as a strategy to unite the nation and solidify his power by centralizing worship. Now this golden image might have been inspired by his dream. He thought of having not just the head made of gold but head to toe.

The king wanted his kingdom to last forever. When he made the statue, Nebuchadezzar, showed that his devotion to Daniel's God was short-lived. He neither feared nor obeyed the God who was behind the dream. 3:8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. Then they said "You, O King have made a decree that every man who hears the sound of the horn, Flute, Lyre, Trigon, Psaltery, and Bag Pipe and all kinds of music, is to fall down and worship the golden image. 3:11 Then the Word of God says "But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be cast into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire. I'm sure that we all know the rest of the story.

The Bible is so interesting to me, it has everything. The Word of God is life changing and those of us who are adventurous, and who wasn't at the edge of our seat when Abraham was instructed to offer up his son, his pride and joy (Gen.22). Now wasn't it thrilling, I'm sure that each one of us can share a story in the Bible. How about the New Testament, the Gospels to be a great way to introduce others to the Word of God. When we're sharing our faith, it's like making a proper appeal.

All I wish to do is to share what God puts on my heart. That is why my friend, Ben Corll, and I have put together this blog.

Thank you so much for all your prayers in the last 7 years.

Bond - Servant Of God
Jim

"Desire The Things Of God"