March 11
DARE TO BE A DANIEL
Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself… (Daniel 1:8)
Doubt sees the obstacles—Faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the darkest night—Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step—Faith soars on high.
Doubt questions, “Who believes?”—Faith answers, “I.”
—Unknown
The book of Daniel is really a textbook of instruction and an example of how God’s people can live in difficult conditions and come through victoriously. Even as the Jewish people were living in Babylonian captivity, so Christians today are pilgrims and sojourners in a foreign culture. We, like Daniel and his friends, must exercise our implicit faith in God’s purposes and leading for our lives. We too must resolve in advance that we will not be defiled by the world. And whether our God delivers us or not from the fiery furnace, we will remain faithful to Him (Daniel 3:17, 18).
Daniel and his friends also personify for us Christian courage at its best—not merely a desperate type of courage for some emergency situation, but a quiet steadfast courage that enables us to live in a Christ-like manner each day. It takes courage to be an unpopular minority when truth and right are involved. It takes courage to defend God’s name when everyone else is using it in blasphemy. It takes courage to be another Daniel in a godless society.
This is another of the fine Sunday school songs by Philip P. Bliss, one of the truly important contributors to both early gospel hymnody and the rise of the Sunday school movement. Bliss, like many other Christian leaders, realized the unusual potential of teaching our youth spiritual truths through appropriate songs.
Standing by a purpose true, heeding God’s command, honor them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s Band!
Many mighty men are lost, daring not to stand, who for God had been a host, by joining Daniel’s Band!
Many giants, great and tall, stalking thro’ the land, headlong to the earth would fall, if met by Daniel’s Band!
Hold the gospel banner high! On to vict’ry grand! Satan and His host defy, and shout for Daniel’s Band!
Refrain: Dare to be a Daniel; dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known.
For Today: Daniel 6:7, 10, 16, 22, 23; Psalm 27:14; Ephesians 6:11
God is still seeking people who by faith will dare to prove His greatness and will represent Him courageously—regardless of the circumstances. Let this musical line be the desire of your life—
Milo 