Daniel1:1-21. The year was 586 BC Babylon had conquered Jerusalem and had carried away the nobles and professionals into exile. Daniel and his three friends were chosen for special training to be in the king's service. Being in a foreign country and with not only the King's blessing, but his command as well to drink the wine and eat the rich food from the king's own table; Daniel and his friends choose to be loyal to the God of Israel. In fact, all through Daniel's life he chose to do things God's way, even though it meant imprisonment and death penalties. He knew what was right and he did it whatever the cost. Daniel's attitude toward the choices he made is called integrity. His integrity was non negotiable. The three friends' : Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to do right before God when they refused to bow down to the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had built. They only escaped the fiery furnace because God intervened. James 4:17 tells us that, "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins." Daily there are choices to be made. Do we tell people what we think they want to hear, or do we "speak the truth in love?" Do we do the kind thing or the convenient thing? Do we obey the Word of God or our logic? Are we willing to let our heart over-ride our brain in the times that we know that it's the right thing to do? These are choices that one can't make in advance. We certainly can set the direction; but each decision has to be made at the time we are confronted with the situation. Integrity is easy to lose and very difficult to regain once it is lost. Put yourself to the test - dare to do the right thing, it may not make you popular, but you can feel good about yourself and God will certainly smile upon you. In the long haul it will pay great dividends.

Dare to Do Right