Standing Firm On A Toxic Environment (Part 3)
by Elder Alton A. Allen
Daniel 1:8a NKJV – 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;
How Did Daniel Do It? Favor!
Daniel 1:9-10 NKJV – (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.”
Daniel 1:17 NKJV – (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.
Refusing to eat the special diet assigned to them seems a strange place for Daniel and his fellow young Jewish exiles to draw a line. But in the Old Testament, one of the distinguishing features of God’s people was the rules they followed about what they would and would not eat and drink. Dietary choice for God’s people was not just an external manifestation of nothing much; rather, it was an external outworking of their deeply held convictions about what it meant to belong to God.
Watch what and where you eat that it won’t defile you…
Given where these young men were and what they were doing and what they were being called, the last thread tying them to their Jewish roots and faith was dietary. So, Daniel said, I can do this, and I can absorb that, but I cannot go any further. I have drawn a line; I will not cross it, and I am taking my stand here.
God’s word is what feeds us…
Do Not Be Deceived! Daniel and the three Hebrews boys faced serious persecution for their belief in God. They knew that whether God “Is able” whether decided they would face death or stay alive. Many will leave God because of the same situation.
What will you do?
Don’t change because of the position and condition that you find yourself in.
For God’s Glory
Food For Thought:
We should not covet or expect the praise of ungodly men…the very fact that they are inclined to persecute us is proof that we are “not of the world.”
#JesusOverEverything #21DayFast #Prayer #RLFC1 #TheWordStillWorks
