We all know the lyrics to the Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty together again.
Poor Humpty’s fall was a fall from which he could not recover. It was fatal.
Unfortunately, I know some Christians who have had great falls and I am saddened every time I hear about another one. Some never seem to recover from their fall. In this devotional, I want to share some biblical principles from the book of Daniel to help you avoid a great spiritual fall.
The book of Daniel tells of three instances when the faith of one or more of these young men was tested severely. In each instance, they stood firm and did not violate the laws of God.
First, the three of them refused to eat the King of Babylon’s food which would have defiled them. Second, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. And Third, Daniel stood firm and continued to pray to God, even though the king had decreed it was against the law.
In each instance, God rewarded their faithfulness. The four of them appeared healthier than the other young men after they passed the test their guard agreed to and allowed them to eat vegetables and drink water instead of the king’s food and drink. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego survived being thrown in the fiery furnace and emerged unscathed. And Daniel survived a night in the lion’s den, and he too was unhurt.
So what can we learn from their examples about avoiding spiritual falls in our lives?
First, know God’s Word and what God’s standards are for you. Resolve to keep them. Sometimes, like Daniel, you may need to take some leadership. It seemed to have been Daniel’s resolve that led to all four men being allowed to maintain their diets and stay true to God’s standards for them. Be prepared to be the one who says something and takes a stand.
Second, there is strength in numbers. The four young men were friends. They helped and encouraged each other to stand firm when they were tempted. Make sure you have some good Christian friends with whom you have covenanted to hold each other accountable. If you go travelling, if at all Christians, travel with other believers who share your beliefs. Wherever you travel, join the local believers in worship.
Third, if there is no one around for you to worship with, worship on your own. Daniel continued to pray to God on his own, when prayer to anyone but King Darius was forbidden.
Hopefully these examples help you to keep from having a great spiritual fall.
