CAC Living Water Daily Devotional |Tuesday, October 12, 2021 | Never Say, It Can’t Work Here (III)
Topic: Never Say, It Can’t Work Here (III)
Read: Daniel 1:6-21
6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 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.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
10 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.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink.
13 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.”
14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 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.
16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 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.
18 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.
19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.
20 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.
21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.
MEMORISE:
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 (Daniel 1:8)
EXPOSITION
We continue with discussions on Daniel. The young Daniel and his 3 Hebrew friends, slaves in Babylon, privileged to be trained and recruited in the king's service, were given names glorifying Babylonian gods, to change their identity, but surprisingly and most encouragingly, they weren't affected, an inch, by the supposed change (Dan. 1:6,7); an indictment on professing Christians who go to places outside their birthplaces only to change their own names or those of their children to get admission into schools, or employments in non-Christian-friendly societies. This should silence those who claim that not doing such won't work in such settings. We must stand for God, no matter the risks involved.
Obviously, these 4 Hebrews weren't influenced by the attempt to change their godly identity. They changed their names but could not changed their character. Their refusal to eat the king's delicacies obviously brought from the temples of the king's idols (v. shows this. What some people would either say is that it is not possible because they would see one as 'holier-than-thou', or there is nothing bad in taking such, because faith in God is internal and personal. God save us.
The chief of the eunuchs' complaint and fear in V. 10 is like telling them, "Your request can't work here." Their response is challenging: "Kindly leave us to God and see if it works or not, then take your decision" (vv. 11-14). Did it work? Yes (vv. 15ff). Where are the few who are ready to take risks for the Lord to show that His holy demands that some people claim cannot work where they are, can actually work?
God needs the Daniels who would prove Him to the Nebuchanezzars of this world. Would you be anything less? Where are the Shadrachs, Meshachs and Abed-Negos who would boldly tell the godless rulers of this world, even if others are saying you can't become anything, if you don't serve the principalities of the land, 'we do not serve your gods nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up' (3:13-18)? Don't disappoint God where you are!
PRAYER POINTS
1. I receive courage to stand for the Lord Jesus, even in the face of the toughest persecutions/ threats, in Jesus' name.
2. I will not bow down to the gods and principalities of the land, most especially, with their godless policies and programmes, in Jesus' name.
3. Pray for missionaries slugging it out with the devil and his agents in fields closed to the gospel.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY:
Isaiah 21:7 - 24:9; Philippians 2:2 - 2:23
Author: Christ Apostolic Church [Worldwide]