A Lesson From Danny

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said we ought to obey God rather than men.
Acts 5:29

How often do we use this verse to tell those that have been placed in authority over us...our boss, our ahh husband (he is the head of the house?) our parents, that we can not or will not do as they have told us? Fen we do it in such an arrogant way that this person (who most often does not know the Lord) will think we have a "holier then thou" attitude. This does nothing to show them Christ and they will not want what we have when we have this attitude.

How then can we "disobey" those in authority in a scriptural way? Lets look at Daniel for answers.

Daniel 1:

4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.

Note in verse 5 that the king told them to eat and drink things that Daniel felt would be wrong...would be sin for them to eat and drink. Daniel could have used Acts 5:29 (had it been written) and said "king I can not do that...I have to obey God rather then you and you are telling me to sin... or something similar to this...which would have gotten the king more angry and thus the problem would be even worse.
How did Daniel answer? See verse 11 and 12. Daniel suggested another plan that would accomplish what the king had wanted but would have kept them from doing wrong also... a win win situation. Remember also, that this would incur a hardship for them, it limited their diet and I am sure it was not as tasty as what the king was wanted. They could have used it for an excuse for earthly pleasure. "I don't want to but I have to...its the law...."

No it is not easy to suggest alternatives to wrongdoing. It does not say it but I am sure Daniel prayed about an answer but he stayed prayed up too. He stayed in daily communion with God...he did not need an emergency 1 John 1:9 session to get in a position to expect God to hear him.

My wife and I often can complete each other’s statements. We know each other so well we almost know what each other are thinking and feeling. We know each others likes and dislike. Why then is it so hard for us to know what God wants?
Could it be because we do not KNOW Him as well as we should? Could it be because we lack the daily and constant contact with Him to know Him? When we have very little contact with someone, would we expect to know him or her well?

Daniel had close contact with God. He knew what God wanted for him. Do we? We often search and beg to know the will of God.. Hey folks God does not hide His will from us so we need to search for it. If we wanted our children to mow the lawn on Saturday, would you tell your child you had something for him/her to do and when they asked you would tell them it was their job to figure it out? NO we would let them know what we wanted them to do and expect them to do it. Meanwhile suppose one of your children disobeyed most of the time. If he/she asked you want you wanted them to do, you may even ask them "why should I tell you want I want.... You will not do it anyway. God WILL tell us what He wants when we are determined to DO it.

I say all this and get back to the point of the message...that if we stay in tune with God, we will be in a better position to do as Daniel did and present another approach that will be suitable to all when we are asked to do something we feel God does not want by those in authority over us. When asked why we do not do something. Have firm answers for them but do NOT say I can not do that because my "church" does not allow it. HOG WASH. What does it matter what a "church" says is wrong....give a Biblical answer...churches can be wrong...The Bible is never wrong.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
 One last thing men...when I said men are the head of the house and we are the authority over our wife, this does NOT give us the right to be a dictator... yes wives are suppose to submit to our leadership and authority but any submission HAS to be given...any that we demand is not submission but slavery.. This is wrong.... We have to love our wife as Christ loves the church and Christ was first of all a servant.

When we do things HIS way, everyone is happy. Husbands we are to be the head of the house and as Fathers day is upon us, remember we are to have a very active role with our children and we are to be the spiritual leader of our wife and children. Often we see women doing our job because too often men would not do it.
Ladies.. Do not prevent your husband from doing what God ordained him to do... he may not do the job the way YOU would but then again you do not do it the way we would either.

Father; help us to be like YOU. Give us wisdom on how to "disobey" those in authority over us when asked to do something wrong as Daniel did...in a way that would bring honor and glory to you.
Most of all Lord strengthen our marriages and our homes and raise up many more MEN to be the man that You want us to be so our homes and our nations can be healed from the devastating effects of fatherless homes. We pray for the unsaved spouses of those in this club and in other clubs that you would reveal Yourself to them that they may come to trust You for salvation..

Oh God, you know the burden I have for MEN to be all You would have them to be... lead more to this club so we can do our part to help them in this area...YOU have given us this burden and as more men assume their role that You gave them, more women will be helped also... Your ways are not our ways Your wisdom is far above ours....Help us to do things YOUR way...empty us of us once again and fill us totally with YOU

We ask this in the name of the LAMB OF GOD...
AMEN.

This message is from the ministry of Shattered Men