Constant Faith

CONSTANT FAITH
Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel 1:5: “The King assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.”

“Sir, please listen to my request” Daniel asked Ashpenaz, King Nebuchadnezzar’s chief official.

“What is it, Belteshazzar?” he looked at Daniel, and smiled.

“We serve the one true God, and wish to not taint our bodies with royal food. May you please give us simple vegetables to eat, and water to drink?”

“Who else do you want to include for this diet?”

“My brethren: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.” Daniel said.

“You mean, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?” Ashpenaz corrected Daniel.

“Oh yes, sorry. I forgot their new names!”

“I don’t know, Belteshazzar” Ashpenaz said scratching his balding head. “Would you wish me harm? I am in charge of your diet, and King Nebuchadnezzar would kill me if you four young men look worse than the others.”

“Tell you what” Daniel suggested. “Try feeding us vegetables and water for ten days. Then, compare our appearances with that of the other young men who eat from the royal table. Treat us any way you want to after ten days. Does this meet with your approval?”

“Well, OK. Just for ten days, mind you!” Ashpenaz agreed, and had the servants remove the choice food and wine from their table. Soon, the servants returned with vegetables and water.

“Thank you” Daniel and his cohorts said.

“Why did you do that?” Hananiah asked Daniel, scowling.

“You know the royal food was sacrificed to idols” Daniel patiently explained, keeping his voice low. “If we were to eat that food, and drink the King’s wine, we’d pollute our bodies! Do you really want to send the message to our God that we allow our bodies to be corrupted with food sacrificed to idols—their gods?”

“Well, I suppose not” Hananiah agreed.

“But that food did smell way better!” Azariah said, sighing. “And who wouldn’t prefer wine to water?”

“What if King Nebuchadnezzar hates this idea, and punishes us?” Hananiah wondered aloud.

“Well, wouldn’t you rather to be punished for obeying our Scriptures than facing God’s wrath?” Daniel countered.

Azariah swallowed a drink of water, and smiled. “I agree, Daniel. No matter what, we’ll stand behind what you say. Right, Hananiah? Besides, Ashpenaz likes you best.”

Take Home Nugget

Daniel shows God’s kids today how to stand up for what we know is the right thing to do. Can you trust God to always do what is pleasing to Him?

Lord, may we offer You our bodies in praise
From hearts surrendered to Your ways?
We long to be worthy of Your love
And blessings from above.

J.D. Griffith

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