Not For Sale
Remember Daniel? He couldn’t be bought or sold — wasn’t for sale
Regardless of persecution, the threat of death, or jail.
No, he didn’t have his price, but rather, stood firm and true,
And only that which was right, chose to think, proclaim, pursue.
Likewise Naboth.
Daniel was a man of principle — he had integrity,
He couldn’t be bribed, he always acted ethically.
He was not afraid of man, nor one to go with the flow,
He kept his word — that is, his “yes” meant “yes,” his “no” meant “no.”
Likewise John the Baptist.
Daniel had the courage to stand alone — to speak up, speak out;
When it came to right or wrong, he chose right — wasn’t in doubt.
He was true to His Master, true to himself — trustworthy,
A man, a real man, who followed his Master faithfully.
Likewise Stephen.
When push came to shove, Daniel was there, a man for his time,
His daily witness had a heavenly rhythm and rhyme.
He refused to compromise, went by his conscience, not his peers,
And right throughout his life remained the same, Scripture declares.
Likewise Esther.
Are you a Daniel, that can’t be bought or sold — not for sale
Regardless of persecution, the threat of death, or jail?
Do you stand firm, stand alone, speak up, speak out, remain true,
And only that which is right, choose to think, proclaim, pursue?
Are you another Luther?
Or do you — via silence and inaction — simply aid ill,
And via cowardice or fear, effectively prophecy fulfil?
Oh, how tragic it would be, should you be aiding heresy,
Due to self preservation, or acting misguidedly.
Does Judas or Pilate come to mind?
It could be said — that in times of crisis — such is treachery,
For such a time is not a time for acting selfishly.
Rather, it’s time to be a Daniel, and let God’s will prevail,
To make it known to all, that come what may, you’re not for sale.
Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who let God’s will prevail.
What the world’s in great need of, more than anything else, today,
Is men who won’t be bought or sold, men who’re loyal — don’t betray.
Yes, men who aren’t afraid to call sin by its rightful name,
Men and women — who despite the cost — will shout in Heaven’s name.
Like Nehemiah.
Whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole,
And who — (praise God) — are honest and true in their inmost soul.
Men and women, who don’t stand idly by, but dare to speak,
When others attack God’s truth, or such truth attempt to tweak.
Noah, Daniel, Job — fitting examples of righteousness — (Eze 14:14,20).
Yes, who won’t be intimidated by jeers, lies, or threats,
For any who are, both error and its source, aids and abets.
It’s time to be a hero, to follow the steps of those
Who because they weren’t for sale, the same path as their Lord chose.
Remember Jeremiah?
Let me ask you again: Are you a Daniel — not for sale
Regardless of persecution, the threat of death, or jail?
Are you a “watchman” — one who’s not asleep, but wide awake,
Who the “Faith of our Fathers” won’t betray, nor truth forsake?
Are you another Paul (2 Cor 11:23-28)?
In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth, friend,
Is a revolutionary act — that says, I won’t bend.
In other words, it takes a Daniel, who’ll let God prevail,
And who’ll declare to all, that come what may, they’re NOT FOR SALE.
This is the challenge for Elijahs in the world of Ahabs and Jezebels,
Yes, Elijahs, in whom the Holy Spirit strongly dwells.
By Lance Landall
This poem was inspired by Dr Samuel Koranteng-Pipim’s sermon “Not For Sale,” and has been published in his book bearing the same title.
You might also like to read my secular poem "The Silent Majority".
