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PREPARING
FOR BIG CHALLENGES
Doubtless when Daniel was delivered into Babylonian
captivity, he had no inkling of having to make a choice
between serving God and the lion’s den. He began by simply
determining that he "would not defile himself" with
the diet delights of the king’s dainties (Dan. 1:8).
Alone in the open wilderness, young David did not dream
of having to fight a man like Goliath. As a dedicated
shepherd, though, he was not going to allow a lion and a bear
to steal his sheep (1 Sam. 17:34-37)!
Neither Daniel nor David knew their youthful courage
would someday propel them to everlasting honor, that their
fearless faith would be praised by all future generations in
every clime and tongue. However, it was the meeting of private
demands and personal difficulties, which prepared them for the
challenges which would define their lives for mankind for all
time. If Daniel had wavered and had decided to eat whatever
was set before him, "asking no question for conscience
sake," would he have resisted the king’s decree? Had
David reasoned that the risk of loosing his life alone in the
forest was not worth the loss of a sheep, would he ever have
had the confidence to confront Goliath? I think not.
We do not see Goliath; we cannot foresee the lion’s
den of adversity. It will come when we least expect it. How we
are facing the "little," personal, and private
difficulties of day-to-day living may well determine how we
shall react when Goliath dares and demands that we fight him.
Remember, Daniel and David were preparing and training their
souls ere they ever faced the crowning moment of their faith.
And so are we.
Tom
Smith
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