Our scripture for the Daily Devotional today is taken from Daniel 1:6-14. Daniel found himself in a dark ungodly nation. It seems that his predicament was very similar to the position that we find ourselves in today. Do you see the dark sinful world around us?
“Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.
8 But 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. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your[c] 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.”
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11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 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.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.”
As for me and my house…
Daniel found himself in a foreign land with foreign customs and culture. The laws and cultural teachings that Daniel had received all his life were entrenched. He saw these as the way and truth. Why would Daniel reduce himself and his beliefs to the location and situation he found himself in?
Daniel was confident in God’s teachings and laws. He knew the blessings that follow those that follow God’s precepts and ways. Daniel was ready to test the Almighty and His laws against any challengers.
It is very easy to follow the culture. A really good question to ask yourself is “How much of what I accept as normal is biblical?” I have met many wonderful people who choose to celebrate death once a year because they remember such exciting times as a kid. I don’t doubt their youthful joy, but is that a good enough reason to just follow cultural norms? We need to follow God’s laws and precepts and like Daniel be willing to stand out.
Let’s Pray
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you, God, that You are the Almighty God. You have called us to live in a way that will bring love and joy to those around us and glory to you. Open my eyes by Your Holy Spirit to know where I need to find Your guidance.
In Jesus Name,
Amen