The secret to living a successful Christian life
Daniel 1:8-20 (NIV)
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[a] food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”
11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.
18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.
(Daniel 1:8-20)

We have been so weakened by the current world that there are many obstacles that separate us from God. Thus it is becoming ever more difficult to maintain our faith. Now more than ever, we need God’s grace.
In our scripture today, we see the story of Daniel, who was taken as slave to the Babylonian kingdom and in this difficult times, maintained his faith and lived a victorious life. He rose above all the difficulties around him and thus glorified God through his victorious life.

A.  The lesson we can learn from Daniel

         We will look at what the secret was to Daniel living a victorious life

1. He had the will to make the righteous decision
2. He completely entrusted himself to God
3. His faith directly impacted his actions.

B. What do you need to do to receive God’s abilities.
1 Corinthians 4:20
20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
The type of life our Lord wants us to live is one in which we are obedient to the truth instead of just talking. What must we do in order to live such a powerful life?

1. You need to live acknowledging God’s grace in your life

God gave Daniel and his friends knowledge and understanding and especially to Daniel, he gave the ability to understand visions and dreams. They received these abilities by the grace of God.
In the same light, we too yearn (want) these abilities and powers but we must acknowledge that it is only by the grace of God.
This world is like the wilderness so it is difficult and filled with suffering. However, by the grace of God, we can find joy in this difficult world. We can do all things by the power and grace of God

Philippians 4:13
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
All we need to do is to submit ourselves to God and pray constantly to Him who will help us.

2. You must stand firm in your faith in God.
According to verse 20, Nebuchadnezzar had never seen anyone as wise as Daniel and his friends and thus they were recognized by the King of Babylon.

How did they receive this recognition?

Daniel and his friends did not fear death and this was evidence of the grace of God and God recognized their courageous decision.
Hebrews 11:33-34
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.

3. You must strive to commit your life to glorifying God.

Daniel and his three friends became those that were acknowledge as wise and capable by the people of Babylon as well as the King of Babylon. God allowed them to be wiser than all those in the court of the King. The source of their knowledge was made clear by God.
In turn they became workers that glorified God. We, as Christians, must strive to glorify God above all else.
1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

However, when something good happens in our lives, we think that we achieve it with our own abilities and quickly forget God’s grace. We need to lay down our pride and hypocrisy and with humility, bow down to Christ Jesus and commit ourselves to becoming useful workers for God’s glory.
1 Timothy 1:12
12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

Application

    1. Daniel’s victory was completely attributed to his complete faith in God
        and entrusting himself wholeheartedly to God. We too must go beyond
        just words and act in accordance with the commitment we have made to
        God.

     2. Entrust yourself completely to the almighty God.

     3. In order to receive God’s abilities, we must first acknowledge his grace.
         In order to receive his grace, we must first practice controlling our desires.

     4. We must put aside our pride and hypocrisy and live an obedient life.

     5. Only those Christians that submit to God can glorify Him.