What’s In A Name? – Daniel 1:6-7

What’s In A Name?
 
Daniel 1:6-7  “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.” 
 
What is in a name?
What comes to mind when we say a person’s name?
Bad names: Jezebel, Adolf Hitler
Good names: King David, President Ronald Reagan 
Our names: Elaine Adams, Hilda Repass, Michael Adams, Heleigh Grace
 
Point: 
Our names are what we use to IDENTIFY ourselves.
Our names are a reflection of who we are and how people see us.
Our name, as a believer, is also a reflection of our personal relationship with the Lord.
Our name, in just a few words, IS OUR IDENTITY.
 
Daniel’s Circumstances:
Daniel was over 900 miles from home. (Remember this is not by today’s standards.)
Daniel was away from everything that was an anchor for his faith.
  • His parents and home life.
  • His instruction and learning.
  • His influences.
Daniel was in a position of great influence (upon him), opportunity, and temptation.
Thought: I wonder how many would take advantage of things under the circumstances?
 
Daniel’s Challenge:
Daniel and the others were chosen by the King’s servants for some obvious reasons: they stood out, they were smart, they were special 
Daniel 1:3-4  And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes;  4  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 and the others were chosen to be educated and influenced in the ways of the Chaldeans.
        
They would face pressure from their own flesh, their own peers, and those in authority.
 
Daniel and the others were going to be challenged in both their character and their very IDENTITIES.
 
They would face their very NAMES being changed.  
YOUR NAME = YOUR IDENTITY = WHO YOU ARE
 
As a CHILD of the KING – YOU need to REMEMBER and REMIND YOURSELF of this FACT:
 
The DEVIL will use every influence in the WORLD to:
CHANGE WHO YOU ARE
CHANGE WHAT YOU BELIEVE
                
He will make you question: who you are, what God has done, where you are going, what’s most important, and the very Word of God.
                
He will tear you down, he will discourage you, he will sift you, and he will squeeze you.
 
Luke 22:31-32  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Simon, Simon: Jesus wanted his attention.
Simon, Simon: This is IMPORTANT.
Simon, Simon: Jesus was showing He cares!
 
Satan hath desired to have you
Satan wants to SIFT you LIKE WHEAT
 
I have prayed for thee, that thy FAITH fail not.
FAITH = IDENTITY
 

1 Peter 5:8-9  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  9  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

 

Whom resist stedfast IN THE FAITH
FAITH = IDENTITY
 
John 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Read Daniel 1:6-7:
Daniel 1:6-7  “Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: [7] Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.” 
 
Daniel: God is Judge
Belteshazzar: prince of Bel
 
HannaniahBeloved by the LORD
Shadrach: Illumined by Sun-god
 
Mishael: Who is like our God
Meshach: Who is like Venus
 
Azariah: The LORD is my Help
Abed-Nego: Servant of Nego
 
False Names:
A false god
A false belief system
A false way of life
Waste your life on things and for things that do not matter in the long term.
 
Daniel’s Identity / Character:
Daniel’s identity was no doubt a result of his relationship with the Lord.
 
Because of Daniel’s choices there is no doubt that God’s hand was upon him.
 
Instead of being influenced Daniel was able to INFLUENCE:
    Those around him – his peers, those in authority, the kingdom, and the King.
 
Do not let the world change who your identity.
 
God is Judge:

Isaiah 33:22  For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

 

Romans 2:16  In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
 

1 Peter 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:

 

Reminder:
I am Judged by God
I am Loved by God
I am Helped by God
There is no one like MY GOD
2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
[17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light