Book Review: Daniel: Godly Living in a Hostile World

Daniel: Godly Living in a Hostile World

Author: William Burnett
ISBN: 9781897117736
Pages: 85

Mr. Burnett does not present your average book on Daniel. He purposefully delves into the rich character of Daniel and his friends, with applications to our lives today. He gives a clear and conscise introduction of the historical aspect of Daniel then goes on to cover in detail the first ten chapters. Many of the chapters have a helpful summary at the end to review the main points given. This book brings out beautiful examples of a man dedicated to God that will be an encouragement and a challenge to any reader. It is well written, in a style that is very comfortable.

Daniel: Godly Living in a Hostile World is an encouragement and a challenge. Throughout his life, Daniel exemplifies what a true believer ought to be, completely reliant on God. He goes through many situations where his life for the Lord is made obvious. While the book covers many topics, such as trusting God, standing for truth, trials, value of a testimony, prayer and evangelism, here are a few of my favourite:

However, like Joseph, Daniel and his companions had a firm grasp of the sovereign ways of God, and, despite the situation and its complexities, he refused to compromise his faith. He acted in Babylon as he would have acted under better circumstances in Jerusalem (pg.23).

Sadly, standing for truth has often been done in a wrong spirit. Many Christians have felt that being severe, surly and uncooperative is part of the requirement, and that this is the manner in which to face the world. Nothing could be further from the truth. We need to develop good relationships with our colleagues at work, and with our unsaved friends and neighbours, without compromising our faith, so that when we are against the wall and needing some elbow room, they will give it to us. Daniel was able to persuade Melzar, whose life incidentally was on the line in this matter, to allow him a ten-day testing period of abstaining from the king’s meat. Daniel was granted his request because Melzar had come to love him. So we must conduct ourselves in a manner that will attract people, and earn a character credit rating that will stand us in good stead when it comes to spiritual challenges (Pg. 24).

Daniel believed that God was sovereign, and that this crisis was a time of opportunity rather than a disaster, and he did not panic (pg. 28).

While this book has much to recommend it there is one item I didn’t  agree with. Mr. Burnett includes his personal convictions regarding music. I agree with some of what he said regarding secular music, and the dangers thereof, but cannot agree with the whole of his statements.

I enjoyed the book and would recommend it for others. There are many situations that arise in our lives that I think Daniel would have handled well. We have much to learn from his life of service to God. He stayed humble despite his elevated status, was wholly dedicated to his God, and communed with God closely. This book shows that indeed “there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9) and God is still in control.

Danielle Robins

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our_fathers_told_B-1786Our Fathers Have Told Us (September 2015) – Biography

By: S. Beck

Our Fathers Have Told Us focuses on the lives of two gospel pioneers, Mr. and Mrs. L. K. McIlwaine, who displayed, in over fifty years of labour in Nova Scotia, their love to sinners and to their Lord. There were many tears and suffering, hardship and trials, all of which were counted as nought in their consuming zeal to see souls saved. An imperative command drove the stalwart pioneers on, even at the cost of self-abnegation: sinners must hear the gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus the Lord.

Mr. and Mrs. McIlwaine lived a life of single purpose. With sincerity and humility, they simply trusted God and sought to introduce Him to others. The great, reverential fear they held of God implied little fear of man; fiath in a faithful God implied lack of dependence upon others. Consequently, they lived life to the full, in joyful abandonment to the will of God. They felt the dearness of fellowship with Him, the contentment of being in His will, the thrill of seeing His hand, the blessing of feeling His presence. Caring not for the temporal things of earth, seeking to lose their life in the work of the gospel, they found the life that is worth living. In addition to carrying out a contented and purposeful existence on earth, they stored up eternal treasure to be enjoyed throughout eternity.

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Praise_Songs_B-5532Praise Songs of Israel (September 2015) – Devotional

By: Albert E. Horton

O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth” Psalm 8:1a

The Psalms are actually poems, written by Hebrew poets many generations ago. There is a great deal of poetry in the Old Testament.

As we study such Psalms we gain some idea of the greatness and glory of our God. May the study of the Psalms help us as we go on meditating on these wonderful “Praise Songs!” May the Lord enable us all to be for His praise and for His pleasure! What a privilege is ours—to be enabled by Him to give Him pleasure! No creature of His could be given greater privilege!

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unless_you_repent_B-1070Unless You Repent (New Reprint) (August 2015) – Christian Living

By: H.A. Ironside

“It is especially timely that this book should be reprinted at this time. It deals with issues that are the subject of some misinformation and misunderstanding.Ironside’s clear and gracious handling of the much misunderstood doctrine of repentance comes as a breath of fresh air, dispelling the fog.” ~William MacDonald

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