DAY 5  – DARE TO BE A DANIEL 

Written by Phillip Bliss for his Sunday School class, this hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a boy. Both inspiring and challenging, Bliss throws down a gauntlet in urging believers to stand firm for the truth and to be active in conquering evil. In a day when a false definition of tolerance is making its way though society, the words of this song encourage us to act like one of the heroes of the faith.

Like Daniel, we are encouraged to live faithful lives by standing firm in obedience to God’s commands, even when the rest of society is compromising. We are urged to be brave and not to shirk from our duty. Though others may fall away, though we alone may seem to be remaining faithful, we must stand firm for our beliefs as Daniel did.

I often wonder, as I read the book of Daniel, how many other captive Jews just blended into Babylonian society. Apparently he was the only one who took praying to God seriously. The rest, well, it wasn’t politically correct to be seen worshipping God. How many of us fall into the trap of being politically correct instead of obedient?

We can accomplish great things for God when we walk in the might of His power and share the gospel message. May we go before the Lord today and pray that we will have the courage to stand for our convictions as Daniel did.

Lord, grant me conviction of heart like Daniel. Help me to stay the course, to be true and faithful. May it start today, let me not shirk from sharing the gospel with one who needs to hear Your message.

 

DARE TO BE A DANIEL by Phillip Bliss

 

Standing by a purpose true

Heeding God’s command

Honor them the faithful few

All hail to Daniel’s band

 

Mighty men are lost

Daring not to stand

Who for God had been a host

By joining Daniel’s band

 

Many giants great and tall

Stalking through the land

Heedlong to the earth would fall

If met by Daniel’s band

 

Held the Gospel banner high

On to victory grand

Satan and his hosts defy

And shout for Daniel’s band

 

REFRAIN

 

Dare to be a Daniel

Dare to stand alone

Dare to have a purpose firm

Dare to make it known.