I read Daniel chapters 1 and 2 this morning. Of course, chapter two is the more well-recognized of the two. It is about Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the statue. That being said, chapter one spoke to me this morning.
After being taken captive and moved hundreds of miles to Babylon, the young Daniel was put into three years of training to be a King's adviser. What I found most striking was the amount of faith Daniel had at this time. His home had been destroyed and he had been taken captive, yet he STILL held on to his beliefs. He refused to partake of the King's food, instead preferring foods that did not conflict with God's laws. Not only did he not eat what the King had offered, but he was able to very wisely suggest another diet. I think too often Christians take a stance that is so very anti-worldly (read: militant) that they give Christians a bad name. Daniel didn't protest or tell those who prepared his meals that they would burn in Hell for creating such things. He didn't shun those who ate what the King offered. He very calmly offered a suggestion that was in line with God's laws. Not only does this show wisdom, but also faith. He had the faith to know that God would be with him as he challenged the status quo (and that is saying a lot after all he had been through).
Anyways, I thought it was interesting how Daniel was able to remain loyal to God and did so under the toughest of circumstances, but in a non-conflictual way. I'm not saying Christians should never stand up in protest. I'm just pointing out that in this circumstance Daniel shows us that we can defeat worldly things without being aggressive.
Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 18: 4
"A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook."
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