GOD'S GOVERNMENTAL FORGIVENESS

DANIEL 1;1-21-[TURN].
Governmental Forgiveness is based on unchangeable Divine Principles.

Every child of God should seriously consider the subject of Governmental Forgiveness.

You see, a sin is not necessarily done with, even when it is confessed, and the
Confessor is forgiven.

One, who has been everlastingly forgiven may sin, and be restoratively forgiven; yet
every Christian must reap, in this life, what he sows--Galatians 6;7-8-[Turn].
Also, the scars last until physical death, or The Rapture...[Comment].

While God delays exercising His power [pSALM 50;21], He chastens His children, who
have been restored from backsliding.

Now, no time can be as solemn, as The Living Present. Divine Principles must be
maintained, because they are unchangeable.

Christians, whether young or old, should maintain The High Principles of God's Word.
Like Daniel, regardless of the social, monetary, or personal cost, they should not
lower them.

Israel's history proves that, God judges christians, IN THIS LIFE, for the sins
they commit.
Several judgments are mentioned, in connection with Israel's History;
1. Servitude
2. Captivity
3. Desolations

Because of The National Sins of Israel, Judah was brought under 70 years of
servitude to Babylon--Daniel 1;1--[Turn].

Israel continued to rebel under servitude. Therefore, God sent more severe
punishment. He brought them into captivity. Israel remained rebellious in captivity,
and The Lord sent desolations upon them.

Daniel's Prophecy reveals God's Governmental Forgiveness of ISRAEL, while they were
in The Babylonian Captivity.

NOW, It is significant, that the name ''Daniel'' comes from 2 Hebrew words; ''DAN,''
which means to judge, and ''EL,'' which refers to God. Hence, his name means, ''God
Judging.'' God always judges the lives of His Own.

There are six basic divisions in Daniel's Prophecy.
[1] Heathen customs are judged [Chapter 1].
[2] Heathen philosophy is judged [Chapter 2].
[3] Heathen pride is judged [Chapters 3-4].
[4] Heathen impiety is judged [Chapter 5].
[5] Heathen persecutors are judged [Chapter 6].
[6] Heathen nations are judged [Chapters 7-12].

The four captive young men [1;6] were ''children in whom was no blemish, but well-
favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding
science''[1;4].

The king desiring to benefit from everything, saw great potential in these young men.
The young men were offered a 3 year course in The School of the Heathen at the king's
expense [1;5].

The Babylonians sought to persuade them to surrender their convictions and
principles.
There is a difference between a prejudice and a conviction. Prejudice means to
prejudge. A conviction is something you will die for, than to give it up.

The world, today, uses the same tactics, seeking Christians to relinquish their
convictions and priniciples.
They will say, ''A little bit won't hurt.'' ''It will not hurt to go to the shore for
one Sunday.''

Now, the names of the young men were changed, at the request of the King.
Daniel 1;7--''Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names; for he gave unto Daniel
the name of Belteshazzar, and to Hananiah, of Shadrach;and to Mishael, of Meshach,
and to Azariah, of Abednego.''

Daniel 5;12 [Read]. He hoped that changing their names would convince them, to
forget their allegiance to God. [Their Hebrew names associated them with JEHOVAH GOD]
The prince of the eunuchs, at the king's command, changed their names; but he could
not change their character.
[You may hurt my reputation, but cannot hurt my character, developed by the Holy
Spirit's filling the bvelever.
Character is what you are, when you are all ALONE.]

Now, although the Hebrew Children were subjected to the dictates of the heathen king,
they remained committed to Divine Principles.

NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; DIVINELY APPOINTED PERSONS WILL REFUSE ANY APPOINTMENT BY MEN,
WHO IGNORE GOD'S APPOINTMENT.

Biblical Principles have little influence on One, who is not IS NOT COMMITTED to
them.
To A Christian, truly following the Lord, however, the customs around him may change;
but his commitment to Biblical Principles cannot; he will be separated unto the Lord
from the world.

Daniel refused to defile himself--Daniel 1;8--''But Daniel purposed in his heart
that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the
wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself.''

Daniel was willing to be tested--V. 12--''Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten
days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.''
The prince of the eunuchs feared that the physical condition of the Hebrew youths
would deteriorate because of their decision, not to eat the king's appointed menu.

NOW, GET THIS TRUTH; UNSAVED PEOPLE KNOW NOTHING OF THE SUSTENANCE OF GOD.
The children of God have mmeat to eat, that the world knows NOTHING ABOUT.
The world can't understand WHY you read the Bible, go to Church, whenever the doors
are opened.

NEXT;We see Daniel chose a simple life. You see, the less complicated A
Christian's life IS, THE EASIER, IT IS, tO LIVE CLOSE TO THE LORD.
Today, too often, well-intentioned men, caught up in a Religious society, advocate
complicated programs, instead of living simple lives, with the goal of honoring the
Lord.
Service is no substitute for FELLOWSHIP.

NEXT; We see Daniel did not falter under temptation. He could not prevent his
name change, but he purposed in his heart, not TO DEFILE HIMSELF by compromise.

Spiritual Courage enabled Daniel to properly call the king's program, Defilement.
Now, that which is not of God, DOES DEFILE....

WRONG teaching defiles Christians. They must turn from it, to that which honors the
Lord.

Daniel was 16-17 years old, when he was captured; His youth did not hinder his
conviction and willingness to stand for the Lord.
The same grace, that enabled Daniel to remain true to Divine Principles, enables
saved children, young people, and adultts, to do the same, today.

GOD OVERRULED, AND BROUGHT DANIEL INTO FAVOR, WITH THOSE IN POWER.

Although people may despise Christians for standing for Divine Principles, they must
admit that those believers, have something that they don't have.

Daniel separated himself, and God gave him Wisdom. His wisdom excelled THE
Astrologers, Soothsayers, and Magicians.

Psalm 99;97-104--[read]--He had a clear understanding.
You see, the humble, separated Christian can know more than the wisest men of the
world.

John 7;17--''IF ANY MAN WILL DO HIS WILL, HEV SHALL KNOW OF THE DOCTRINE, WHETHER IT
BE OF GOD, OR WHETHER I SPEAK OF MYSELF.''
It is a lack of obedience to God's Will, that prevents one from discerning, whether a
thing is of God, or not.

THE MORE OBEDIENT, A CHRISTIAN IS, TO WHAT HE KNOWS, THE MORE GOD REVEALS TO HIM.
When you are faithful in little things, then God will lead you on, to bigger things.
When you obey the light God has given you, He will then give more light.

But if you disobey God's Word, God won't show you more of it.

DISOBEDIENCE CLOSES THE bible, makes prayer a drudgery, makes Church dull, quenches
the Holy Spirit, and leads to CHASTISEMENT.

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