Hello. I am happy to share with you my third insight that connects to our initial theme found in ‘The discipline of discipleship.’ Previously we have looked at knowledge and meditation and in this insight we will consider ‘The discipline of application with conviction.’ I think one of the greatest challenges of any believer is the application of personal faith to daily living with a strong sense of conviction.
Daniel chapter 1 v 4
Here we have a description of Daniel as a ‘young man without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well in-formed; quick to understand and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.’ Daniel and his companions had been taken from their home, culture and beliefs and were re-educated in the ways of their Babylonian masters.
Often when we see something new we may want to embrace it fully and in so doing we may be tempted to leave behind elements of the old that seem out of place. In verse 5 the four young men were asked to change their diet and eat and drink in a way that reflected their new status.
In verse 8, Daniel didn’t want to be included in that new diet and asked to maintain his own vegetarian diet that would still keep him fit and strong as required. The challenge and discipline for Daniel was to hold on to his beliefs as experienced in Jerusalem whilst incorporating new ways of thinking, believing and living in Babylon.
Chapter 2 Daniel was faced with a very serious dilemma. King Nebuchadnezzar had received a very disturbing dream and asked all his wise men to interpret it. They responded to him by saying: ‘Tell your servants the dream, and we will interpret it.’ The king wasn’t happy with their response because he wanted them to tell him what the dream was and then what it meant! In frustration and anger the King in verse 12 ‘ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon’ which included Daniel.
In faith Daniel asked for the Lord’s help and ‘during the night the mystery was revealed to him in a vision.’ (verse 19) Daniel expressed praise and thanksgiving for the revelation and then bravely asked for an audience with the King to confidently offer his interpretation of the dream.
In verse 46, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel’ and recognised his God as a ‘revealer of mysteries.’ As a result of interpreting the dream Daniel was ‘placed in a high position’ and lavished with many gifts.
Wooden structure
Recently I was making a wooden structure and thinking about the best way to construct it. I needed some inspiration as how best to proceed and concluded that it was better to apply a Unibond glue to two pieces of wood rather than a nail or a screw. 
Glue is an applicator which unites one item to another for a particular purpose and strength. The structure was completed with revelation, application and conviction as well as a big smile on my face. Just like Daniel there are many life situations where we have to make important decisions with particular consequences.
A faithful friend
In Proverbs 18 v 24 we read that ‘a man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.’ In Luke 7 v 34 John the Baptist described Jesus as a ‘friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ In Hebrews 13 v 5 we are reminded that God will ‘never leave us or forsake us’ as we place our trust in him.
Daniel confided with his companions about his education, the new culture and diet and asked for prayer in regards to the King’s dream. Daniel had great confidence in seeking the Lord’s guidance as to the mystery of the dream and the support he had from his friends.
The revelation Daniel received was the result of his strong application of personal faith to daily living, which included an audience with the King that was full of conviction and brought God’s favour and reward to him.
Psalm 63 This psalm can be very helpful to us in applying faith, discipline and conviction.
- We thirst for God and remember when we felt his presence in the sanctuary during times of worship.
- We recognise that God’s loving kindness is better than what life offers and so our lips praise him and our souls cling on and mediate during the night.
- We are protected from our enemies as we rejoice in our God who cares and looks out for us.
As we conclude our thoughts around a disciplined life of faith with practical application and conviction,
I wonder how that is working out for you in your home, work, community, and sanctuary. I pray that you may experience a personal increase, even from 5% to 50% and beyond, with the help of your friends and a daily revelation from the Lord.
Selah
Graham
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