lent day 3

Daniel’s Faithfulness

8But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.

9Now God had granted Daniel favour and compassion from the chief official, 10but he said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking thinner than those of the other young men your age? You would endanger my head before the king!”

11Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12“Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13Then compare our appearances with those of the young men who are eating the royal food, and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14So he consented to this and tested them for ten days. 15And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. 16So the steward continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and he gave them vegetables instead.

Daniel’s Wisdom

17To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

18Now at the end of the time specified by the king, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19And the king spoke with them, and among all the young men he found no one equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the king’s service.

20In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. 21And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.


Several things stand out to me about todays verses.

1) Daniel made up his mind. 

 I wonder how easy that was. Here he was in captivity being really well treated after all the trauma of war and abduction. Being plied with the best foods and wines. I think I might have reasoned that this was God being really kind to me. But Dan made a conscious decision to follow God's laws.  I love the fact that he asked permission to disobey the King. 😊 He took a stand for what he believed but he did it respectfully.  I wonder what he would have done if his request had been denied. He must have considered that as an option, Hmmmmmmm.   

2)God grants favour and compassion. This is what God is like. So this is something we can pray for. Ive often, very often, prayed for God's favour to be shown to me through other people (really good prayer to pray in job interviews) You would have thought that favour would have been enough, But God threw compassion into the mix as well. Because we all need some loving understanding and real care when we are going through 'stuff'.   If you need people to be kind to you today then you can ask God specifically for favour and compassion.

3) God proves Himself.  I know we are told we are not to test God. But actually I think there are times when God says ' just go for it and see what I can do!'   

4) Its easy to read these verses and assume that God rewards Daniel and his mates for their faithfulness to dietary laws by miraculously giving them wisdom and spiritual gifts.  I'm not sure that's true.  I suspect that Daniel and his friends spent three years working hard at being the best they could be.  They didn't get a spiritual download of the Chaldean language - they had to learn it.  They didn't magically become knowledgeable about Chaldean literature. They did the work.  For three years.    They read the texts. Put in the effort.  And remember, they would have been reading stuff which went against everything they believed. The history of a people they despised.  The religious texts of the enemy.   If that had been you would you have applied yourself diligently to your schoolwork?   I know I wouldn't have.   It is all so counter-intuitive and contrary to what we think God requires.  The lads acquired knowledge and applied themselves to learning.  To their learning God added wisdom and discernment.  They did their part and God did His.

As Christians we are currently living in a hostile culture.  Does God want me to shield myself from it or learn about it?  Where do I need to make up my mind that there is no compromise?  Where is He granting me favour?   How do I grow in wisdom and understanding so that I can influence the powers that be in the society in which I live and effect profound and lasting change?  Am I prepared to work hard for years to get to where God wants me to be?

Good questions for Lent.  Happy pondering.