The Prophet Daniel > Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber could be the most recognizable name in the world today. His rise to stardom since 2008 had been astronomical to observe and the constant media attention is proof that his influence on America’s young people is significant.

Bieber is the first musical artist in history to have seven songs from a debut album rank on the Billboard Top 100 list. With over 49 million Twitter followers, Bieber was named in 2012 by Forbes magazine as the 3^rd most powerful celebrity. And in the last twelve months, Bieber has netted approximately $55 million.

But in recent months, the limelight has exposed what many of us are not shocked to see. All too often, young men and women who are given fame, an endless money stream, and any guy or girl they desire let all of this go to their head and they start living in the dream world that convinces them they are above society, they are above the law and they make their own rules.

Since 2013, Bieber has been charged for vandalism in Brazil, had his tour busses raided twice by local authorities to discover narcotics and marijuana, had him home searched and cocaine was found, was arrested for a DUI in Florida and driving with an expired license and resisting arrest, and assaulted a limousine driver. The list reads like the all too familiar profile of the I-am-a-teenager-and-I-have-everything-I-want-and-I-will-do-what-I-want.

This is an American idol! Bieber is a god and a disciple of America’s young people and it disappoints me that we have so many young people in the Bible who are worthy of emulation that have not and will never be followed.

I am fully convinced Bieber would have never survived the Babylonian Captivity. He would have compromised as soon as Nebuchadnezzar said something like, “If worship me, I will give you ________________________.” Bieber would have said, “Sign me up, King Neb!”

What I admire about the prophet Daniel is that he was a young man who was not much different in age to Bieber and he was in Babylon, away from his home, and with no mother or father looking at what he is going to do. Daniel had to deal with the Nebuchadnezzar telling him to compromise his faith. Daniel faced the decision either to make the king happy by obeying him or having to deal with the possibility of an angry king if he did otherwise, with everyone else eating the food from the king’s table, and, therefore, risking his ability to go any further in his education or the government. Yet, the uncompromising nature of the Daniel stood strong and he purposed in his heart to not defile himself (Dan 1:8).

I want more young people who love the Lord so much they would give up their money, their houses, their toys, their friends, their parents, etc. I don’t want young people who will sell their soul for a bigger house, bigger bank account, shady friends, faster cars, etc. I want more Daniels and less Justin Biebers … and I believe God does too.