-November 2, 2022-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the eunuchs.”
(Daniel 1:8-9).
Daniel, his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, along with many other Jews were taken into captivity in Babylon. Those with potential of service to the king of Babylon were put through a rigorous, special training and preparation course. First, each of them were given new names after their Babylonian gods, then were taught the Babylonian language and culture, and finally they served in the government. The Babylonians wanted to wipe away all vestiges of their faith in the true God of Israel.
Daniel and three friends would have none of it. They would serve the king faithfully and well but not conform to the ways of their captors. It says, “Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself…” By honoring God, God honored all four of them. Daniel gained the favor of the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel requested that instead of eating the food and drinking the wine of Babylon, they be given a diet of only vegetables and water. Given that chance of a ten day trial, they fared much better than all the others who ate and drank as usual. Thus they were allowed to continue it. Not only that but as the book of Daniel unfolds, we see how they practiced their faith. They prayed and obeyed the Word of God even in a foreign land. As result Daniel’s three friends were cast into a fiery furnace for not bowing down to the golden image King Nebuchadnezzar made, but God protected them. Daniel was cast into the lion’s den for openly praying to his God, but God protected him also.
It would have been easy for them to succumb to the pressure to conform to this world, especially living in a foreign land. But they stood firm for the Lord. They didn’t ascribe to the old adage, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” The Bible clearly teaches separation from the world and sanctification to the Lord. Paul quoted the OT in 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, “Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the Lord Almighty.”
God had given His people the Jews a strict code of what to eat and what not to. He had given them the law to obey and His principles to follow. They were committed to the Lord in all their ways without compromise. God richly blessed them. Daniel served three different kings in Babylon: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and Darius. Daniel was the greatest and wisest man throughout the realm of Babylon during the entire time.
But what of us? Are we purposing in our hearts not to defile ourselves with the things of this world? Are willing to obey God and not men when the two are in conflict? The world wants to squeeze us into its mold, we must take a stand, no matter what people say about us. We too are living in a foreign land where the devil is the god of this world; it is our privilege and responsibility to live for the Lord as light and salt.
Have a blessed day living as Christians in a non-Christian world who is against Christ. Stay safe and healthy.
Standing for the Lord,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 