Practice

  • Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.”
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Basketball fans may remember the Hall of Fame Allen Iverson’s infamous interview about practice years ago. Allen Iverson wanted to focus on the overall season and championship aspirations instead of on practice. In fact, Iverson stressed the word “practice” 22 times in the interview. “We sitting in here — I’m supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talking about practice. I mean, listen: We talking about practice.” Yes, they were asking about practice, because practice makes or breaks the player and the team. At the same time, practice is extremely important for the believer. It is easy to scorn a famous person like Allen Iverson about practice when most believers easily miss the importance of practice in their own Christian life.

Daniel stood when he was 80 because he stood when he was 18. Daniel’s first real test of standing came in Dan. 1 when Daniel stood for what many would deem trivial. This was a big test in Daniel’s youth, yet, it was not to be Daniel’s last. However, believers must stand up even for the small things in life if we are to be ready for the big moments of life. The small episodes of standing up for what is right are practice for the major tests; although, the small issues of life are also important tests. Here is another example:

  • Daniel 3:16 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
  • 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
  • 18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”
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Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were able to stand when all others bowed in Dan. 3, because these courageous 3 had stood with Daniel in their youth in Dan. 1. Once again, we see believers who were ready for the major tests of life because they had made right choices in the small issues/the practice runs of life. And again, I want to emphasize that most never stand for what is right for major issues because they never stood for what is right in what most would consider the small issues of life.

In conclusion, every choice and every issue, small or great, are important stands. Speaking up for the bullied, speaking out against the smallest removal of freedoms and choices, clinging to the tightest of standards are all preparations for taking a bold stand for the most egregious of sins. Never, ever assume that a stand for right is not important because the issue is so small. Every stand for right is important.