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September 14th

The bible reading today is in Daniel chapters 1-3.

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, laid siege to Jerusalem. We have already read about this in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles and in Jeremiah.

But in the book of Daniel, we are introduced to some new details of the exile to Babylon. Some eye-opening details of God working in and through some young men of Judah while in Babylonian captivity.

These stories inspire my faith in God our Savior. These stories motivate me to courageous obedience to God’s word. These stories enlighten me on God’s plans for making all things right and all things new. Now to the text.

“The king assigned the young captives a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time, they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah.”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:5-6‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Nebuchadnezzar had a plan to use the strongest and the brightest of Judah to aid him in expanding his kingdom around the world. Daniel and his three friends were chosen for such service.

A side note...After Nebechadnezer’s first dream, he respected God’s wisdom in Daniel. After the furnace deliverance, he respected God’s loyalty to His own. After Nebechadnezer’s mental breakdown, madness, and loss of his humanity, he respected God’s power. Only after those three experiences with God did Nebechadnezer become a true believer.

Who’s to say that the testimony of the young Judean friends, from the very beginning of their exile, was what God used to plant the gospel seed that grew into faith for Nebechadnezer’s salvation. So what was Daniel’s testimony that would have been rare at his youthful age and impress a king to look into it?

“” 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. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs,”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭1:8-9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Most teenage boys, away from home, away from family restraints, would be thinking of “sowing their wild oats. But not this teenager. Long before Daniel was kidnapped by Babylonian soldiers and taken to Babylon, he committed himself to the very words of God. And from there, young Daniel’s mind and heart were filled with scriptural convictions...things he believed no matter what the consequence.

The text tells us that Daniel “resolved” not to defile himself, his body, mind, and soul...no matter what. So when his Babylonian handler offered him unclean food and drink for his meals, he declined, he explained, and he requested alternative sustenance and a test.

To turn down the king’s table, and declare that the king’s fare was unclean, was most disrespectful and would probably bring sudden death. But the courage of his convictions not only passed the test...meaning...his countenance was far better on his diet than the other exiles who ate the king’s fare, but it also impressed the court and opened the door for future ministry to the king.

You know there was another young man who faced torture and death for his belief. All he had to do was say “Ceasar is Lord”...instead of “Jesus is Lord”. But Stephen would not do that. He too resolved that he would believe Jesus no matter what. And shortly he was stoned to death.

Daniel lived to fight another day. And that’s the rest of the story.

Have a great day.