When you read the story of Daniel in the Old Testament, you’ll read some amazing things. You’ll hear how he was thrown into the lion’s den, yet the lion’s didn’t even scratch him. You’ll hear how he interpreted dreams for the king. And you’ll see an amazing life lived entirely for God. However, one thing to remember is how he got there!
If we go back to the beginning of the book of Daniel, in chapter 1 and verse 8, we read these words: “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…” Daniel determined as a young man that no matter what it cost him, he would NOT allow himself to be defiled by the world around him, nor even by those who saw nothing wrong with disobeying God. He wouldn’t just follow the crowd and do what everyone else was doing!
The book of Daniel tells us immediately that something difficult happened. “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.” (Daniel 1:1). There were over 3000 Jews who were captured by King Nebuchadnezzar, and brought back to the city of Babylon. Daniel and his three friends were just a SMALL number compared to all of them. And yet the Bible only mentions these four young men, who determined to follow God no matter what! That’s only 4 out of over 3000!! Talk about being alone!
They made up their minds that even if it cost them their very lives, they would follow God. They didn’t care if they were thrown into a fiery furnace, or into a lion’s den – they would NOT bow down and follow other gods, or live in any way contrary to how God had commanded them to live. That is how Daniel made it through the lion’s den. That is how God used him in such an amazing way. He said “I am going to follow God no matter what it cost me!”
The same principle holds true today. There are countless thousands of young people who say they are a Christian and love God. However, when it comes down to choosing to go along with the crowd or stand alone – they give in and choose to follow the crowd. They may fear what others will think about them, or they may not really love God as they claim to. It is not always easy to choose to follow Him. Especially when it seems like no one else around us is making that choice. However, if you want to truly know God and see Him work in your life as he worked in the life of Daniel, you MUST choose to follow Him! Even if you have to do it alone!
And besides that – we’re never truly alone, even though at times it may see that way. We always have God on our side. And when we determine we are going to please and obey Him, He will guide and protect us no matter how difficult that road may seem to be.
When I was a young person, we used to sing this song at Sunday School:
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.
What about you? Will you going to follow Him, even if you have to walk alone?