Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. "Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water," Daniel said. Daniel 1:12
Scripture teaches that when we give our lives to Christ, we are given a new life in Him. We do not belong to the world anymore. We belong to Him. This, my friends, changes everything. As a result of our new lives in Christ, you and I are called to live differently. Specifically, we are called to live and look different from the world. Through our words and actions, we are to point others to Him and say "no" to things that are not of Him. This will often mean making decisions and choices that do not make sense to the rest of the world.
When Daniel was taken captive from his home in Judah to Babylon to become one of the king’s servants, he resolved to stay true to God and His faith. Daniel 1 tells us that Daniel "determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king (verse 8). This food had been sacrificed to idols, which went against his faith in God. This determination led him to take action. He asked permission for him and three of his friends not to eat these foods or drink the wine. Now, this was a risk for Daniel and his friends. After all, the king had instructed that they eat the food and drink the wine given to him. He asked the chief of staff and the attendant appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel and His three friends, who also refused to eat the king's food. Daniel was bold. He was not afraid to take the risk and stand up for his faith.
Like Daniel, we must take a stand for our faith, even when it costs us. This means being bold and taking risks for our faith. It means speaking up for what is right even when people will not agree with us. May we follow the courage and boldness of Daniel and stand up for our faith. This boldness comes from a faith rooted in God, confident that He will take care of us when we follow Him and take a stand for our faith.
What step of boldness can you take today to follow in Daniel's example? Maybe you can share your faith with someone who does not know Christ. Maybe you can sign up to be baptized. Maybe you can stand up against a decision you know goes against God's plan. Whatever that step of boldness may be, take it today with the courage and boldness of Daniel. Remember, God will be faithful to be with you and walk with you each step of the way.
Daniel 1:12-16
"Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water," Daniel said. 13 "At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's food. Then make your decision in light of what you see." 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others."
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