Sovereign over everything
Opening Prayer
God, even when others are working against me, I can trust that You will not abandon me to their schemes.
Read DANIEL 1:1–21
[1] In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. [2] And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. [3] Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility- [4] young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. [5] The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. [6] Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. [7] The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. [8] But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. [9] Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, [10] but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” [11] Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, [12] “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. [13] Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” [14] So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. [15] At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. [16] So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. [17] To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. [18] At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. [19] The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. [20] In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. [21] And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does Daniel take a stand?Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem (1), but it was God who “delivered Jehoiakim” to Nebuchadnezzar (2). Judah’s brightest and best were taken hostage (3,4) not simply to intimidate those left behind, but as a deliberate strategy of indoctrination through a curriculum, cuisine and identity (4–7) designed to produce loyal Babylonian citizens (5b). Why does Daniel consent to a curriculum which undoubtedly included pagan teaching, and accept names that replaced God-associations (“el” in “Daniel” signified belonging to God) with pagan-associations—and yet he fusses about food (8)? Food from the king’s table would have been offered to idols, so this was a way to take a stand to resist assimilation to the Babylonian culture. Daniel’s courage, creativity and courtesy (8–13) are an exemplary model for Christians striving to live with integrity in a non-Christian world. Reflect on God’s actions here. Though the nation’s rebellion had brought exile, God delivered Jehoiakim to Nebuchadnezzar (2), softened a pagan official’s heart (9) and bestowed gifts on four faithful young men (17).
Apply
Dare to be like Daniel and make a stand in a world that is taking part in so much that is offered to idols.
Closing prayer
Everlasting Father, fill my heart with boldness through Your Spirit. Give me courage to follow.
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