Daniel was a Jewish captive in Babylon! Little children (adults too) always thrill to hear the stories of Daniel and his three friends in the lions den -- the fiery furnace -- refusing to bow down to the image of gold, etc. In the first chapter of Daniel, we read about the king speaking unto the master of his eunuchs that he should bring certain of the children of Israel -- of the king's seed -- and of the princes -- "Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank."
Then in verse 8, we read -- "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." The beginning phrase of this verse is so very important if we are going to live a victorious Christian life. We must purpose in our heart, as Daniel did, remembering the scripture -- "We ought to obey God rather than men."
Daniel realized that he had the responsibility of maintaining a godly standard as a testimony for the true God after he and his friends had been carried into captivity. Daniel knew that the king's wine would surely be harmful if he were to partake of it. Also, the king's meat would no doubt include pork and be cooked with blood, which would be unlawful for him, as a Jew, to eat. He determined in his heart to take a stand against it.
Daniel requested -- "Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants."
We admire the steadfastness of Daniel through the lion's den and the firey furnace, and God honored him. The Lord honored his courage and faithfulness, and it is a sweet assurance to know that he will do the same for us today! I love this wonderful scripture in the 3rd chapter of I Peter --
"The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers: --- But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
Let's keep this little chorus in our hearts as we live for Jesus in these troubled times --
"Safe am I! Safe am I -- in the hollow of His hand!
Sheltered o'er! Sheltered o'er -- with His love for evermore!
No foe can harm me -- no ill alarm me, for He keeps both day and night!
Safe am I! Safe am I -- in the hollow of His hand!"
No comments:
Post a Comment