We have made it to the end of another week friends. I am delighted to share with you all today something God put on my heart. We are in the book of Daniel, chapter one. For a brief background, Daniel was deported to Babylon at 16 years old. He is handpicked for government service and we will see throughout the book of Daniel that he is God's prophet, interpreting dreams and visions. Daniel had strength and courage to do the right thing even when it was unpopular or against the law. Today's passage takes us to where King Nebuchadnezzar tells Ashpenaz, the master of the eunuchs to bring certain children of Israel, and children of the king and princes. There was a condition, though. These young men needed to meet specific requirements: no blemish, well favored, skillful in wisdom, cunning in knowledge, and understand science. These handpicked young men would then serve in the king's palace and learn the language of the Chaldeans. We see the same thing happened to Moses, another great leader and mighty man of God. Acts 7:22 And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.
Daniel was chosen along with Hananiah, who was later renamed Shadrach, Mishael was renamed Meshach, and then Azariah was renamed Abednego by the prince of the eunuchs. Daniel's new name was Belteshazzar but we will know and remember him by the name Daniel. Now Daniel was a young man, very talented and gifted, but he also knew the law of God given to Moses. It must have been at the forefront of his mind what it says in Leviticus about what to eat and what not to eat. Leviticus 11:43-45 (43)Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. (44)For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (45)For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. Daniel did not want to compromise and even though he was just a youth, he still had the strength and courage to stand up for what is right. Let's read it.
DANIEL 1:8-17 (8)But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (9)Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. (10)And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink; for why should he see your faces worse liking (looking) than the children (young men) which are of your sort (age)? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. (11)Then said Daniel to Melzar whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, (12)Prove (test) thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse (vegetables) to eat, and water to drink. (13)Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. (14)So he consented to them in this matter, and proved (tested) them ten days. (15)And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat (food). (16)Then Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse (vegetables). (17)As for these four children (young men), God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
I know it is hard to go against the grain sometimes. We may be afraid of what others may think of us. We may be afraid of rejection or being told no. Daniel was willing to risk it and God allowed him to have favor with man. Why? Because Daniel was willing to obey the strict rules of what to eat and not eat that God had given Moses. Daniel was willing to stand out and be different for the sake of being holy.
Is there something God is asking you to do or not to do? Have you been worried what your peers might think? Daniel's peers may not have liked vegetables and to know that they had to give up meat and wine for vegetables and water may have made them upset. Daniel was not taking votes, he simply obeyed God. It might feel uncomfortable but the cross was uncomfortable for Christ. It was excruciating! Jesus said this in Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when He cometh in glory of His Father with the holy angels. This is so serious, friends. We choose to live holy lives, free of compromise, because it will please Jesus. It honors God. Why would we choose to please this wicked world and be ashamed of our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Redeemer? If we are ashamed of Him and do not want to stand up for the right things and the holy things, because we are ashamed to admit we love God then just know that in glory, Jesus will be ashamed of you and say He does not know you in the life to come. Sit with that for just a minute!!
Friends, as we go about our day, and head into the weekend, let's be mindful of the decisions we are making. Let's choose wisely and not compromise. May we honor God with the words that come out of our mouths this weekend. Let's choose to magnify God and speak about good and praise worthy things. Let's allow our minds to meditate on God's Word so that we might not sin against God. (Psalm 119:11) Let's purposefully act in ways to please God and not compromise or give in to things we know are not going to glorify God.
I pray something I have shared on this blog today has been strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
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