The Power of Tested Faith

Daniel 1:19

The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to serve in the king’s court.

These four Israelite young men were selected as the cream of the crop from the Babylonian capture of Israel and taken to King Nebuchadnezzar. They were to be indoctrinated with the doctrines of Babylonian culture and religion. These young men, however, refused to eat the king’s food and defile themselves. In turn, God granted them favor and placed them directly in the king’s court. Indeed, the gift makes way for the man when God is the giver (Proverbs 18:16). 

These young men were taken away from their homeland and were not placed in the best environment to nurture their faith. Their new home would, in fact, test the faith they already had.  At times God will nurture and grow us in our faith by placing us in a safe place where people believe as we do. There are also times when He will take us out of our safe environments and test what He has placed in us. In the testing place our faith produces power. 

When God begins a work in us, He may place us with people who will influence us, encourage us, and help us grow. Once that seed is ready to harvest, however, He may relocate us to an environment that is hostile toward our faith.  In such places He wants us to be the influencers. We can have influence in certain places only through His power. To receive His favor and His power, we must remain faithful to what He has already taught us and not allow the world to discourage us or to cause us to compromise our faith. Like Daniel and his friends, we can stand firm and love and respect those who do not believe as we do. 

Where do you find yourself today? Does God have you in a safe place where you can grow, or has He moved you to a place where others do not share your beliefs? Don’t become discouraged if you find yourself in the latter. Remain faithful to those things you know to be true, and watch God move you to a place of influence. Allow Him to work through you. Don’t compromise to follow a new master. Become God’s Masterpiece!

Have a blessed day!