I think it is safe to say that many of us have had to battle with something we would fail to win in our own strength. As it is difficult to faithfully wait for God to come to our aid, we often decide to help Him out by implementing our own ideas and schemes. As a good friend once asked me when I tried this, “How did that work out for you?” Pretty poorly, to be honest.
One speaker I heard had some good advice on the topic:
“If you are willing to choose God’s way, God will make a way.” B Gallatin
The young prophet Daniel was in this type of predicament. He and his friends were carried off against their will from Jerusalem to Babylon, as part of a mass deportation by victorious King Nebuchadnezzar. But, unlike the vast majority of exiles, Daniel’s group was favorably hand-picked to live in the king’s palace, to be trained and educated for leadership in their new country. They were definitely getting first-class treatment in a situation that was, for most of the exiles, anything but.
Realizing their exclusive opportunity, the obvious choice was to not make waves or raise any objections that might possibly end their special treatment.
But Daniel and his friends had a deep faith in God, and first and foremost, they wanted to walk in a right relationship with Him. For a young Jewish person in Daniel’s time, this meant keeping a kosher diet in accordance with the law of Moses. The luxurious food from Nebuchadnezzar’s table that was to be put before them often came into direct conflict with the will of the Lord for them.
Rather than compromise to get along, Daniel followed his conscience and did the risky thing: he spoke up.
8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8 (NASB)
Life offers us no shortage of temptations to compromise with God’s will. Sometimes, we encounter gray areas where we are not exactly sure what God’s will is for us. Other times, we know exactly what it is, but are tempted to just ignore any conflict, put it out of our minds, and move forward with the objectionable choice, anyway.
For Daniel, it was clear what he needed to do, and he bravely declined the temptation to ignore God’s wishes in order to preserve the status quo. Because of his faithfulness in declining the unclean foods, God granted Daniel and his friends favor with his commander and overseer, and the commander honored Daniel’s request. But the overseer then had some concerns of his own.
9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.
10 The commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” Daniel 1:9-10 (NASB)
Now the overseeing commander was also at risk, with his own neck on the line if his action should displease King Nebuchadnezzar. If Daniel ever had an excuse to back out of what he knew to be right in God’s eyes, this was his chance. But he would not.
11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”
14 So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better, and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables. Daniel 1:11-16 (NASB)
God rewarded the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends by providing for them (and their overseer) in an unexpected way. If we are willing to do things God’s way, He will never let us down. Things may not happen as quickly as we would like to ease our concerns, but if we will be faithful, the Lord will be, too. As someone has said:
God is never too late, but rarely early.
The New Testament makes clear that Christians today are free to enjoy all foods, but some Jesus (Jeshua) worshippers of the Jewish faith, known as Messianic Jews, continue to follow kosher dietary laws to honor their original calling.
Reflection
What ongoing battle in your life has an anxious grip on your thoughts and emotions? Many of us have something negative going on that is beyond our ability to control it, at one time or another.
If so, let us take this moment to turn them over to God, asking Him to help us honor and wait upon Him, rather than do something reactionary or foolish, that will only end up making things worse.
Lord, we are powerless over certain negative things in our lives that are coming against us. We ask You to step in to heal and resolve these situations. Grant us Your peace and serenity by the power of the Holy Spirit as we wait for Your action and resolution. Help us to resist the temptation to take matters into our own hands when know we should be waiting on You. We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Have a peaceful and serene day in the presence of the Lord today.
Daily Meditations from the Genealogy of Jesus 