SECRETS TO SUCCESS, Pt 6, No. 512
SECRETS TO SUCCESS
Part 6
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”
(Proverbs 4:23).
10. DO NOT COMPROMISE
Sometimes Christians can be tempted to compromise for the sake of success. They lower their standards to the standards of the world. The stay silent when they should speak up for truth. All because they may not receive the favor of the world around them. But if we want God’s prosperity upon our lives, we must never compromise.
Young Hananiah (Jehovah is gracious), Mishael (Who is he that is God?), and Azariah (God has helped), were dragged from their beloved homeland of Judah to the foreign land of Babylon. They were now captives. These young men, along with Daniel (and maybe others) were chosen for training and indoctrination into Babylonian life. Their original Hebrew names were changed to the names of Babylonia gods—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Most commentaries say that they would have only been 11 – 13 years of age when they came to Babylon, 15 years at the most.
For three years they were indoctrinated against their Hebrew faith and emerged in Babylonian culture and deception.
But when King Nebuchadnezzar set the image of gold and commanded everyone to worship it, these young men would now bow. Not even in the face of a tortuous death. They would not bow to another god. They would not compromise their faith.
Listen to their confession before the king: “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:16-18) NLT).
Yes, they were thrown into the furnace that was heated seven times hotter! But God miraculously delivered them. Daniel 3;30 says: “Then the king promoted (prospered) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the province of Babylon.”
God prospered them because they would not compromise. Sometimes our success may not come in this lifetime. If not, it will come in the eternal realm, which is the real world.
May God help us to have this same spirit. We live in a culture of humanism, feminism, socialism, and many other isms. Do we bow to this culture around us? God’s Word is opposite to these man-made isms. Let’s stand true, even in the face of persecution. We are not facing a fiery furnace, only a bit of ridicule. Is that too much to take?
And what about our children who are growing up in this deceived culture? Are you filling their minds, hearts, and mouths with God’s truth? Out task as parents is a powerful one. We must make them strong in truth to be ready to face the deception. We must prepare them to stand strong, even in the face of death.
I am always challenged by the story of this courageous mother in the time of the Maccabees.
She watched her son being killed because he would not forsake the name of God or His ways. No, not just killed but cruelly tortured. They cut out his tongue, scalped him, cut off his hands and feet, and while he was maimed and helpless, fried him alive! In the same manner, they tortured and killed her second and third sons. The third son cried out: "I have received these limbs from heaven, and I give them up for the sake of God's laws." Another cried out: "We are prepared to die rather than sin against our ancestral laws" (2 Maccabees 7:2, 11).
Because they would not bend and turn from God's laws this dear mother watched as Antiochus tortured her fourth, fifth, and sixth sons the same way. The mother had only one son left, her beloved youngest. Antiochus tried to influence the mother to save his life. He promised he would make him rich and prosperous and even a political advisor. She obliged by turning to her youngest son saying: "Son, pity me who carried you in the womb nine months, nursed you for three years, nurtured you, and brought you into this stage of life with care. I beg you, child . . . Don't fear this killer but prove worthy of your brothers. Accept death so that in God's mercy I should recover you with your brothers" (2 Maccabees 7:27-29). She watched her last son die before she was put to death herself.
This mother was a nurturing and caring mother. But she had a vision for her children beyond this earth. She raised her sons to fear God rather than man. She raised them to stand for truth, no matter what the consequences. She raised them to see beyond this earth to the endless life of the heavenly.
May God help us to be courageous mothers. May He save us from raising wimpy, mediocre children who are seduced by the humanist and feminist lies of an ungodly society. May He anoint us with the mighty power of God to raise children who will have the courage to stand for God and for truth, no matter what persecution they face.
And what about Daniel? We know how did not compromise but continued to pray three times a day, even though it meant death. Yes, he was thrown into the lion’s den, but once again, God delivered him and Daniel 6:28 states: “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
A BONUS SECRET
We have now learned 10 secrets of success using the words tsalach and sakal which mean “to prosper and succeed.” Here is one more Scripture that uses shalah which also means “successful.”
Psalm 122:6: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.” Do you and your family pray for Jerusalem and Israel in your home each day? It’s a bonus secret for you to be blessed.
PRAYER:
“Oh God, I live in a deceived world. Please save me from being sucked into the deceptions which are so prevalent around me. I want to be true to You. I want to be true to Your words. I do not want to compromise. Please help me to be a courageous mother, always standing for truth, and teaching my children to stand strong for truth. In the name of Jesus. Amen.”
AFFIRMATION:
Never bending, never bowing to the world around.
Sticking fast to God’s Word, I’ll never be dumbed down!