August 30, 2011
CALL AN AUDIBLE OR FACE ADVERSITY?
Daniel 1
Daniel Smith
Central Truth
King Nebuchadnezzar wanted only the best to be a part of his squad. He specifically stated who and what characteristics he wanted when it came to the men he would choose. While King Nebuchadnezzar's specifications were abundant, God is not as particular. He wants the heart of anyone who is willing to give it.
Key Verse | Daniel 1:8
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)
Daniel 1
Daniel Taken to Babylon
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. 3 Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family 1 1:3 Hebrew of the seed of the kingdom and of the nobility, 4 youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. 6 Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 7 And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
Daniel's Faithfulness
8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 10 and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.” 11 Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” 14 So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. 16 So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
17 As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 At the end of the time, when the king had commanded that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king spoke with them, and among all of them none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they stood before the king. 20 And in every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all his kingdom. 21 And Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Dive Deeper | Daniel 1
Adversity is knocking. What do I do? What am I going to do the next time I feel tempted? Give in or stand firm in the confidence Christ has given to me? I cannot speak for anyone else, but for me these questions are tough to answer as hindsight is always 20/20. Whether at home, work, or out with friends, I need to be prepared with the answers to these questions, without hesitation. Sometimes, the easiest decision to make isn't the best for me.
In this passage Daniel is faced with a decision in which he could have taken the easy path, but he decided instead to change the play and go a different route – specifically, one that would be tougher and ultimately more glorifying to God. The routine that he was given to follow from the king wasn't the one he believed was the highest and best use for him and the others he was with. This doesn't mean it wouldn't have worked – he may have known something the others didn't, or perhaps they didn't have the courage to speak up. But he was definitely looking at the situation through a different lens – he knew a better way.
The lens through which believers see things is tough to adjust to at first. It's hard to stay the course; at times it can be easier to take the less burdensome path. However, the more we endure, the more we learn. And the more we learn, the closer we are to Christ. The closer we are to Christ, the clearer we are able to see through that lens that once was so challenging. He promises us that He will see us through the difficult times.
1 John 1:5 says, "This is the message we have heard . . . that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all." Believe it. Do your best to live it out. Love it, and share it. Write about it. This is challenging, but living the life God called us to live never has and never will be easy.
Discussion Questions
1. What does adversity mean? In general, how do you plan to overcome it?
2. What influences that you are aware of are present during tough times? Are these influences the work of the enemy, situations of your own making, or both?
3. Do I embrace my struggles as a learning experience or think of them as punishment or something similar? If I don't perceive them as opportunities for growth, what's keeping me from viewing them as such?
4. Daniel stood up for what he knew was right and will continue this pattern in the chapters to follow. How often do I speak up for truth when the opportunity presents itself? Am I always quiet or always engaging? Which is easier for me? Why? Which is harder? Why?
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
EZEKIEL 48-DANIEL 4 (AUGUST 29-SEPTEMBER 2)
Read Daniel 1.
Notice in verse 4, Daniel was a young man, a teenager. Why was Daniel in Babylon?
What did Daniel ask the chief official? Why did Daniel not want to eat the food and drink the wine of the king? How do you think Daniel knew that he should not be eating and drinking the king's food and wine?
Daniel was in a foreign land, but he still sought to follow the One True God.
What does it mean to resolve to do something? Daniel was young and knew God's ways.
How do you learn God's ways? How do you stand firm and obey His ways when faced with challenges?
ACTIVITY: Get some Play-Doh OR make your own (learn how at http://www.makeplaydough.com/play_dough/)
Make a big circle. Next, create the letters DAN and the numbers 1 and 8. Reread aloud Daniel 1:8 and remember how Daniel "made up his mind" to be a God follower even when it was difficult in a foreign land.
Put your Play-Doh creation in a place where it can dry. Come back occasionally to check to see how hard the letters/numbers are getting. When we set our minds upon God and make a decision to honor and obey Him, we are strong and "set" with Truth as our foundation.