When I left home for College it was the first time where I legitimately had control over my own life. I had been removed from my home environment and safeguards. My parents weren’t with me to make sure I went to church (I didn’t always). I had to take care of my own finances and say “no” to things I wanted but didn’t need. I can’t say enough how grateful I am to say that my parents are Jim and Val Anderson. They raised me according to the Bible and then sent me out into the world praying that I would follow God’s direction for my life.
In the book of Daniel, we are introduced to four Israelites: Daniel (God is my Judge), Hanania (Yah has been gracious), Mishael (Who is what God is?), and Azariah (Yah has helped). These young men are from noble, influential families. Basically, the future leaders of their captive people.
“In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.”
Daniel 1:1-4 NIV
These young men were snatched from their homes, religion, and culture. They even had their names changed: Daniel was called Belteahazzar, Hananiah was called Shadrach, Mishael was called Meshach, and Azariah was called Abendnego. In taking away their names the Babylonians were taking their last connection to their roots.
Part of the training regiment included a change in their diet. Their food and drink was provided by the King to bulk them up and give them energy for their studies. However, there was a problem. The meat that was served to them had been sacrificed to the gods of Babylon.
Daniel though wanted to stay faithful to God and His commandments so,
“…Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my Lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.”
Daniel 1:8-16 NIV
There are going to be situations in our lives as Christians where we are going to be asked (and told) to change how we live life. The world is going to say that there’s nothing wrong with relaxing our guard. But it’s when we relax and stop seeking God that we fall out of the presence of God. He’s still with us but it becomes harder for us to hear him speak to us. Daniel was given favor and grace by God because he was faithful. He followed God’s instructions even when it would have been smart to go along with what the chief steward asked of him.
What are areas in your life where you find yourself exchanging the ways of God for the ways of the world? Is your foundation in God strong enough withstand the sneaky pressures of your day to day life? I find myself having to concisely make the choice to focus on what God wants me to do.
Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.