Daniel 1:3-5, 8 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king… But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.When Jerusalem was besieged by Babylon, Daniel and his three friends were chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. Despite being in captivity, one might view that as a promotion for Daniel. Pride could have easily gone to his head for a young person who was selected based on the criteria of being handsome, without bodily defect, knowledgeable and smart.
Do we sometimes let pride go to our head too when we get promoted? Let’s ask ourselves: “Do we believe that it is the Lord who caused us to be promoted or do well in our business?”, “Do all good and perfect gifts come from the Lord?”. Our answers to these questions will be revealed in our behaviour and our words. Pride will eventually cause everything to crumble around us, and nobody including our spouse will be able to speak into our lives when we are proud.
Psalm 75:6-7 For exaltation comes neither from the east nor from the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, and exalts another.
Truly, God knew the heart of Daniel and He was the one who promoted him. Daniel would eventually be given a top level government job with a strategic position. God had a plan for Daniel while serving in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court, including the kings after him. As a believer, we need to be humble enough to know that promotion comes from the Lord, and pride always goes before destruction.
Proverb 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Sermon Series: The Daniels of Today (Part 1)
晋升来自于主
但以理书 1: 3-5，8 王吩咐太监长亚施毗拿，从以色列人的宗室和贵胄中带进几个人来，就是年少没有残疾，相貌俊美，通达各样学问，知识聪明俱备，足能侍立在王宫里的，要教他们迦勒底的文字言语。王派定将自己所用的膳和所饮的酒，每日赐他们一份，养他们三年。满了三年，好叫他们在王面前侍立。。。但以理却立志不以王的膳和王所饮的酒玷污自己，所以求太监长容他不玷污自己。
当耶路撒冷城被巴比伦围困时， 但以理和他的三个同伴被拣选进入尼布甲尼撒王宫里服侍。虽然是被俘虏，然而在人看来但以理是被晋升了。 选拔标准是基于相貌英俊，身体毫无残疾， 学问渊博以及聪明伶俐，这对于一个被选上的年轻人来说，是很容易被骄傲冲昏了头脑。
当我们获得晋升时，是否有时候也让骄傲冲昏了我们的头脑？让我们扪心自问：“我们是否相信是神使我们晋升或者是因为我们的业务表现出色？”, ”一切的美善和全备的恩赐都是自主而来吗? “我们对这些问题的答案将显露在我们的行为和言语上。骄傲最终会使一切在我们的周边破碎瓦解， 且当我们骄傲时，没有任何人包括我们的配偶，能够对我们的生命说话。
诗篇 75: 6-7 因为高举非从东，非从西，也非从南而来。惟有神断定；他使这人降卑，使那人升高。
神确实知道但以理的心，并且是神使他得以晋升。但以理最终将被赋予一个具有战略地位的高层政府职位。当但以理还在尼布甲尼撒王宫内服侍时，神在他身上已有计划，包括在尼布甲尼撒之后的几位王。作为信徒，我们需要谦卑地知道晋升来自于神， 骄傲总在败坏以先。
箴言 16:18 骄傲在败坏以先；狂心在跌倒之前。
讲章系列：当今时代的但以理 (第一部分)