Faithfulness from the Book of Daniel

Decisions should never be made based upon perceived results.  That's called walking by sight.  Faithfulness is staying the course regardless of fluctuating circumstances.  It is following the Lord even when it seems like it'll hurt.

Faithfulness is sacrificing what may seem best to the world because honoring the Lord is best.  Despite being offered the king's choice food and wine, Daniel sought to avoid defilement by eating vegetables.  It says in Daniel 1:8-9 - "But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's choice food or with the wine, which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.  Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials".  To any man (including the commander of the officials), it seemed obvious what would happen.  Daniel and his friends were going to be weaker than the others because they would only be eating vegetables.  However, Daniel remained faithful despite the circumstances.  He trusts the results to the Lord and "at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king's choice food." (Daniel 1:15)  It wasn't because of the vegetables that God blessed them, it was cause of their faithfulness.  Honoring the Lord is ultimately for your best, even if you can't see it.

Faithfulness is sacrificing yourself because God's glory is worth more than your life.  Later in Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were brought before Nebuchadnezzar because they refused to serve his gods or worship his golden image.  Their options were limited.  Fall down and worship the image... or die by furnace.  Here's how they replied... "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king.  But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up." (Daniel 3:17-18, emphasis added)  They trusted themselves to the Lord and considered that His glory was worth more than their lives.  Even if God had decided not to save them (and yes, their lives were in God's hands, not Nebuchadnezzar's), they chose to follow the Lord and worship Him alone.

Faithfulness is trusting decisions to the Lord.  In both cases, faithfulness stemmed from a confidence of God's sovereignty over any and all circumstances.  Whether it be your health at stake, power, success, friends, or even your life... recognize that decisions ought not to be made based upon perceived results.  The world doesn't know what is best, God does.  Obey His Word, honor His glory, do what is best by walking by faith.