Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Ah Friends, February’s on the go, and so too should all believers, thanking and praising God for His everlasting kindness and working sincerely and seriously to further His kingdom. In concert with that line of thinking, hear then these words of Lord Chesterfield. ‘I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.’ That means we need to take care of the small things, the details of today and not worry about the past or the future, for today is all we can control. The past is already gone; that’s what today is built on, and tomorrow will be built or depends on what we do, the choices we make today. Therefore, if we seek a good tomorrow, we have to cherish, control and do a good job today. It’s like the clichéd sayings we have down south: ‘Take care of the cents, and the dollars will take care of themselves.’ Or, ‘One one cocoa full basket.’ If we take care of the smallest particle, action or area, the big scene will eventually take care of itself. That’s just how God planned it. And we can surely see that principle at work in Daniel’s strategy in Today’s Bit. ‘But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.’ Yes Friends, Daniel made a studied decision regarding his day-to-day situation, having considered the consequences on his future. We all know the story of how the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, ‘spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed (descendants), and of the princes; Children (young men) in whom was no blemish, but well-favoured (good looking), and cunning (possessing) in knowledge, and understanding (quick to understand) science, and such as had ability in them to stand (serve) in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning (literature, writing) and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat (food), and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing (training) them three years that they might stand (serve) before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.’ (Dan.1:3-6) King Neb sure had his wits about him. If he was able to indoctrinate them with the culture of Babylon, he could use them to control the Jewish minority and indoctrinate them too. The first bit of brainwashing began as soon as the lads entered the programme. Their names were changed from good Hebrew names that reflected their godly heritage to ones praising the Babylonian idols. Daniel (God Is My Judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (Bel Will Protect). Hananiah (God Is Gracious) became Shadrach (Inspiration of the Sun), while Mishael (God Is Without Equal) was called Meshach (Belonging to Aku), and Azariah (The Lord Is My Helper) was named Abednego (Servant of Nego). The second step of indoctrination was the food. It’s obvious that ‘the king’s meat’ consisted of some food the Hebrews considered unwholesome, which the four lads resisted eating. But Friends, as we keep saying, whatever our God brings us to, He will bring us through. And I like how the Good Book puts it. ‘Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender LOVE (sympathy) with the prince of the eunuchs.’ (Dan.1:9) But the eunuch prince didn’t grant Daniel’s wish, scared to lose his head if they came before the king looking much worse than the others. With his heart set though on pleasing the Most High God Jehovah, Daniel turned to the steward Melzar, who had direct control over them and said: ‘Prove (test) thy servants, I beseech thee ten days; and let them give us pulse (vegetables) to eat, and water to drink.’ (Dan.1:12) Ah Friends, when there seems to be no way, our God always provides one. Daniel’s deal with the steward was if after ten days of water and veggies, they looked worse than those who ate the king’s food, he could do whatever he wanted with them. But lo and behold! ‘At the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer (better) and fatter in flesh than all the people which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.’ (Dan.1:15) All praise to our Most Holy God my people! ‘As for these four children (young men), God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning (literature, writing) and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’ (Dan.1:17) And at the end of the three years when the whole group stood before the king and he spoke with and examined them; ‘among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before (served) the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of (questioned) them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.’ (Dan.1:19:20) That my Friends is how the Lord works in the lives of those who sincerely trust, believe and surrender themselves to Him. Though young, Daniel and his friends were well versed in the Lord, had a solid foundation in the God of their fathers. They changed their names and taught them their customs, but could not change their godly character. Even so should it be with us my people. Our names can be changed and other deities and cultures forced on us, but if we’re confident in the God we serve, then our basic lives and attitudes will remain unchanged. So just like Daniel and his friends passed God’s test in olden Babylon, let’s stand strong together and try to pass ours in this new Babylon nuh. Much LOVE!…as Uncle Charles says…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…
Ah Friends, February’s on the go, and so too should all believers, thanking and praising God for His everlasting kindness and working sincerely and seriously to further His kingdom. In concert with that line of thinking, hear then these words of Lord Chesterfield. ‘I recommend you to take care of the minutes, for the hours will take care of themselves.’ That means we need to take care of the small things, the details of today and not worry about the past or the future, for today is all we can control. The past is already gone; that’s what today is built on, and tomorrow will be built or depends on what we do, the choices we make today. Therefore, if we seek a good tomorrow, we have to cherish, control and do a good job today. It’s like the clichéd sayings we have down south: ‘Take care of the cents, and the dollars will take care of themselves.’ Or, ‘One one cocoa full basket.’ If we take care of the smallest particle, action or area, the big scene will eventually take care of itself. That’s just how God planned it. And we can surely see that principle at work in Daniel’s strategy in Today’s Bit. ‘But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.’ Yes Friends, Daniel made a studied decision regarding his day-to-day situation, having considered the consequences on his future. We all know the story of how the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, ‘spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed (descendants), and of the princes; Children (young men) in whom was no blemish, but well-favoured (good looking), and cunning (possessing) in knowledge, and understanding (quick to understand) science, and such as had ability in them to stand (serve) in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning (literature, writing) and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat (food), and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing (training) them three years that they might stand (serve) before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.’ (Dan.1:3-6) King Neb sure had his wits about him. If he was able to indoctrinate them with the culture of Babylon, he could use them to control the Jewish minority and indoctrinate them too. The first bit of brainwashing began as soon as the lads entered the programme. Their names were changed from good Hebrew names that reflected their godly heritage to ones praising the Babylonian idols. Daniel (God Is My Judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (Bel Will Protect). Hananiah (God Is Gracious) became Shadrach (Inspiration of the Sun), while Mishael (God Is Without Equal) was called Meshach (Belonging to Aku), and Azariah (The Lord Is My Helper) was named Abednego (Servant of Nego). The second step of indoctrination was the food. It’s obvious that ‘the king’s meat’ consisted of some food the Hebrews considered unwholesome, which the four lads resisted eating. But Friends, as we keep saying, whatever our God brings us to, He will bring us through. And I like how the Good Book puts it. ‘Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender LOVE (sympathy) with the prince of the eunuchs.’ (Dan.1:9) But the eunuch prince didn’t grant Daniel’s wish, scared to lose his head if they came before the king looking much worse than the others. With his heart set though on pleasing the Most High God Jehovah, Daniel turned to the steward Melzar, who had direct control over them and said: ‘Prove (test) thy servants, I beseech thee ten days; and let them give us pulse (vegetables) to eat, and water to drink.’ (Dan.1:12) Ah Friends, when there seems to be no way, our God always provides one. Daniel’s deal with the steward was if after ten days of water and veggies, they looked worse than those who ate the king’s food, he could do whatever he wanted with them. But lo and behold! ‘At the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer (better) and fatter in flesh than all the people which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.’ (Dan.1:15) All praise to our Most Holy God my people! ‘As for these four children (young men), God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning (literature, writing) and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.’ (Dan.1:17) And at the end of the three years when the whole group stood before the king and he spoke with and examined them; ‘among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before (served) the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of (questioned) them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.’ (Dan.1:19:20) That my Friends is how the Lord works in the lives of those who sincerely trust, believe and surrender themselves to Him. Though young, Daniel and his friends were well versed in the Lord, had a solid foundation in the God of their fathers. They changed their names and taught them their customs, but could not change their godly character. Even so should it be with us my people. Our names can be changed and other deities and cultures forced on us, but if we’re confident in the God we serve, then our basic lives and attitudes will remain unchanged. So just like Daniel and his friends passed God’s test in olden Babylon, let’s stand strong together and try to pass ours in this new Babylon nuh. Much LOVE!…as Uncle Charles says…obey God…and leave all the consequences to Him…
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