Making a Firm Decision
Daniel 1:8-13 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. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 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.” So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 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.”
Without Complaining or Disputing
A point to note. Daniel and his companions did not allow their convictions to make them discourteous. Some might think that as prisoners in a foreign land, captives of an enemy nation, they would have been in their right to gripe and complain. They easily could have approached the Babylonian officers who were appointed authority over them with a chip on their shoulders. But they did not. But rather, they very politely requested from the proper authorities’ permission to be served a simple vegetarian diet.
This is A lesson in life that many Christians could use today. If you honestly believe that God is sovereign over all the earth, that He is in control, that nothing can happen except by His permission, then all complaining must be considered to be nothing less than rebellion against the providential workings of God.
Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
The Power of a Right Attitude
Even though God had “given up” the kingdom of Judah as a whole, He still stood by individuals. God stood by Daniel and his companions even in their captivity – and God still stands by His people today.
The Bible says that “God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.” KJV. And the Bible says that “God gave” Daniel and his friends learning and skill in all letters and wisdom. Why? Perhaps because of their attitude. By not giving in to “complaining and disputing” they were able to “shine as lights in the [Babylonian] world” in which they now found themselves. Because of their attitude God could use them to shine His light into the Babylonian darkness.
Daniel 1:14-17 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 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. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. 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.
Giving Credit where Credit is Due
Our God is a God who gives. Service to God is never a loss, no matter what the circumstances. But it is forever a gain to those who believe. The knowledge and skill that Daniel and his friends possessed was not theirs by their own ability but was given them by God, and Daniel in telling this story is makes it a point to acknowledge that indeed it was God and God alone who “gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel … understanding in all visions and dreams.”
Here is yet another reason God could safely “give” not only favor, but knowledge and skill to Daniel and his companions. They, and you will find this repeated all through the book of Daniel, gave credit where credit was due. They openly acknowledge that all they had, all their ability came not from themselves but from God.
God Given Victory
Daniel 1:18-20 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. Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 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.
They were better than everybody else, but don’t miss the point — The reason they were better was not that they were naturally superior to everybody else, but because it was a God given gift.
Troubles and Trials
God gives no guarantee that things will go smooth and easy for you in this life. And you can be sure that the devil is out to make absolutely sure that it doesn’t. “But as it is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Trials and tribulations we will have in this world. But what is the very worse that the world can do to us in comparison with the glories of heaven? “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18).
Troubles and trials we will have. But these are not to be the focus of our thoughts. Don’t dwell upon all the evils, all the injustices, all the wrongs in this world. The Bible counsels us with these words, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8).
Staying Focused, Staying Faithful
Daniel and his companions kept their eyes focused on God and His goodness, even in their captivity. They knew the source of their strength. They knew Who their Helper was. And consequently, they could have peace and confidence even in the midst of enemy territory.
At the very beginning of their captivity, they made firm decision to be true to God no matter the consequence to themselves, and God honored that decision. The first test of their faith may seem to be a small matter to many, simply a matter of what to eat and not to eat, but that one test of their faith decided the whole course of their life afterwards.
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Undoubtedly there were other Jews like them who were given the same educational opportunities they were, but who chose to take the easy road of compromise. You never hear of them. They are forgotten by history.
1 Samuel 2:30 Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.
Choices matter. Attitudes matter.
End of Chapter 1