Saturday after the Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on October 12, 2019 by under
Scripture: Daniel 1:1-21 (NKJV)
1:1 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 gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 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. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
Devotion
The opening chapter, especially the opening verses, present the stark reality of captivity by an enemy nation. Names are changed, which is meant to force allegiance to a new lifestyle and a new belief system. Additionally, the daily habits of the young captives are controlled right down to what type of food and drink they have available. The provisions which are prescribed contradict Jewish dietary rules, so Daniel and his companions are faced with a choice of challenging their captors, or compromising their faith.
Daniel remains faithful to God’s instructions, and he and his companions who also remain faithful are rewarded for their steadfast faith with keenness of mind that allows them to excel far beyond their peers. The Lord uses this grace-filled gift of exceptional intelligence to bring these faithful servants to the attention of greater authorities, which in turn brings them to the attention of king Nebuchadnezzar himself.
This historic narrative presents the reality that the Lord can use any circumstance to fulfill His will, and His chosen people should always strive to flourish wherever the Lord’s will has placed them in the world. While attempting to thrive in adversity though, the believer must be careful to not compromise his adherence to the Lord’s will and Word. These facts or lessons will run throughout the entire book of Daniel and serve as a sure guide for all believers of all time.
We pray: Heavenly Father, through Your abundant grace may we never be found compromising the true faith in our lives, or among our brethren. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
