‘’ Standing Up For what’s Right’’
By: Lynne Conley

Scripture Text: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:10 KJV

Daniel is one of the Major Prophets in the Old Testament. This was during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar in which he was a king of the Babylonian Empire. In the Word of God it records, ‘’Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans” (Daniel 1:4 KJV). Daniel was a teenager alongside his young friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They all were held hostage, but their living conditions were as if they were at home. Daniel along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were selected to educate in the huge palace of King Nebuchadnezzar. By the leading of Daniel he refused to eat the King’s meat and drink his wine. His three friends followed by his leading not to do so either. King Nebuchadnezzar put a ten day test on those young men. The King said he would give those young men only vegetables and water to drink, and he would compare them to the ones that ate of the royal food. He wanted to see who was the healthiest after those ten days were done. After the ten days those young men were healthier than those who ate the royal food. Daniel and his friends were persecuted, but in the end Daniel became in high position in the King’s palace. Just as Daniel prayed three times a day, he wasn’t concerned by the King’s ways; he wanted to be pleasing in God’s eyes. All we really have to be concerned with my friends is whether we are headed to eternal damnation or peace for ever more. Hell is a place of punishment, and Heaven is for the person who has lived his/her life according to God’s word.