In Daniel 1 we see the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar come to Jerusalem and overtake the city. The Lord gave Jehoiakim and the land over to Nebuchadnezzar (v.2). After overtaking the city, Nebuchadnezzar order some of the youth be taken back with them (v.3). Daniel was one of the youth that was apprehended and taken back as a captive.
Once taken captive and sent with the Babylonians, Daniel and his friends
were provided food and wine from the king’s house. These youth were to be educated in literature and language of the Chaldeans (3). They were basically being groomed to be future leaders. Nebuchadnezzar was hoping to take the beliefs of God out of them by inundating them with this different culture of the Babylonians.
But Daniel and his friends held strong to their beliefs and convictions. Daniel made the request that they only be provided vegetables to eat and water to drink for 10 days (v.12). After the 10 days, the king examined the men and they were found to be 10 times better in everything than the other men (v. 19-20).
Sometimes we found ourselves to be in less than ideal circumstances or surroundings as Christians just as Daniel and his friends did. We have 2 choices to make when we are presented with these situations. We can either go along with the things that are happening around us that might defy God’s Laws. Or we can hold fast to our beliefs in the Word of God and try to find a solution to what is troubling by using the Word of God. Daniel and his friends could have easily given in, turned from God, ate the food and wine, and went on cruising through life. But they decided to hold tight to God’s laws.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
