But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8
There are a couple of things we can learn from Daniel’s response to the king’s decree that the young men in his court were to eat certain foods and to drink wine (Daniel 1:5). First, we learn that Daniel remained faithful to God when it seemed as though God had not been. Daniel had just seen his home destroyed by the King of Babylon and was subsequently taken into captivity and forced internment. (Daniel 1:1-4). To many of us it may seem as though God had not taken care of Daniel and his fellow Israelites, allowing the Babylonians to conquer and disperse them. Even though it appeared that way from a human perspective, Daniel stayed faithful to God and his commandments; even when it came to the food he ate and what he drank.
Secondly, we learn that Daniel looked for God’s favor above man’s favor. We know that he was displaced because of his handsome appearance and knowledge (Daniel 1:4). He possessed what was required to succeed in the Babylonian King’s court. But, instead of kissing up his way through the ranks, as all the other young men undoubtedly tried to do, he chose to find favor with God by obeying his commandments. He did this rather than doing whatall the others around him were doing. This is similar to what many of us have had to deal with in school or in our workplaces. Decisions like, “Do I stick with my morals, or do what all the others are doing to be popular and successful. We may even try to justify our actions by thinking, “Is God really going to care about this minor detail I don’t obey if I use my new found position to positively influence others?” Resolve, like Daniel, to seek first God’s favor over those around us.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
There are a couple of things we can learn from Daniel’s response to the king’s decree that the young men in his court were to eat certain foods and to drink wine (Daniel 1:5). First, we learn that Daniel remained faithful to God when it seemed as though God had not been. Daniel had just seen his home destroyed by the King of Babylon and was subsequently taken into captivity and forced internment. (Daniel 1:1-4). To many of us it may seem as though God had not taken care of Daniel and his fellow Israelites, allowing the Babylonians to conquer and disperse them. Even though it appeared that way from a human perspective, Daniel stayed faithful to God and his commandments; even when it came to the food he ate and what he drank.
Secondly, we learn that Daniel looked for God’s favor above man’s favor. We know that he was displaced because of his handsome appearance and knowledge (Daniel 1:4). He possessed what was required to succeed in the Babylonian King’s court. But, instead of kissing up his way through the ranks, as all the other young men undoubtedly tried to do, he chose to find favor with God by obeying his commandments. He did this rather than doing whatall the others around him were doing. This is similar to what many of us have had to deal with in school or in our workplaces. Decisions like, “Do I stick with my morals, or do what all the others are doing to be popular and successful. We may even try to justify our actions by thinking, “Is God really going to care about this minor detail I don’t obey if I use my new found position to positively influence others?” Resolve, like Daniel, to seek first God’s favor over those around us.
Your pastor and partner in ministry,
Kyle
Come get support for Healthy Living TONIGHT 6:30pm in the Pond@ C3
This Saturday 7:30 am
C3’s Membership Class This Saturday 10am
Refreshments served /Childcare upon request
RSVP to ericka@celebratejesus.org
Refreshments served /Childcare upon request
RSVP to ericka@celebratejesus.org
Meditate on it, Memorize it, Mark it on the wall.
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