Clips from the Cave

This week in the Cave, we began working out of our new Sunday School books. For the next few weeks, we'll be learning how to Dare To Be A Daniel. Dare To Be A Daniel is a program sponsored by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and it's designed to teach kids how to stand up for what's right.

This week, we followed the beginning of Daniel's journey and learned about the Babylonian takeover of Israel. After conquering the Israelites, the Babylonians wanted to make a show of their power by kidnapping young men from powerful families and raising them to be Chaldeans. Chaldeans were the sorcerers or wise men of the Babylonian nation. King Nebuchadnezzar gave the boys Babylonian names, instructed his servants to give them Babylonian food, and taught them the Babylonian language and culture.

The Hebrew culture and the Babylonian customs were completely different. The Babylonians didn't worship God; instead, they worshipped Baal and their king. The Babylonians didn't consider certain animals to be unclean the way the Hebrews did, and they also ate foods that had been used as sacrifices to idols.

Yet Daniel and his three friends were brave. Their faith in God was stronger than their pressure to conform to the ways of their captors. Daniel and his friends stayed true to their ways and did what God wanted them to do despite the wishes of King Nebuchadnezzar, and because of their strength, they earned his respect and survived their years in captivity under God's protection.

Sometimes, the modern world is not a Christian place. People, especially teenagers, are under pressure to conform to a certain image. Girls are expected to be "sexy," and boys are expected to be "strong." People are expected to be competitive and to be the best at everything they do. They're expected to chase "the almighty dollar," and they're expected to live the fast-paced lifestyle that's the hallmark of the world today. There's pressure to do drugs and alcohol, pressure to dress and act certain ways, pressure to support certain causes while denouncing others, and pressure to make poor choices. Many people today don't live a godly lifestyle---and they don't expect or teach others to as well.

Yet as Christians, it's our responsibility---our duty---to live the life that God wants us to lead. Sometimes this means denying peer pressure and ignoring harmful influences. Sometimes it's scary or even dangerous. Often, it will take us down a path that we view with uncertainty. We'll face the risk of being criticized by others. But all of the obstacles and all of the risk will be rewarded in the end, because leading a Christian life is more important and more fulfilling than any worldly praise.

Have a great week!