Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths… and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 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. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. 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.
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. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, 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.” Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 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.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. 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. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
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. 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. 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. DANIEL 1:3-19 ESV
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments… 2 TIMOTHY 2:23 NIV
At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength… 2 TIMOTHY 4:16-17 NIV
We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:3 NLT
1) What do you mean by that doubt (thought, concept, belief, term)?
2) Where did you get your information?
3) How do you know that it is true?
4) What if you are wrong?
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord… so that you became an example to all the believers … your faith in God has gone forth everywhere… 1 THESSALONIANS 1:6-8 ESV
Take a few moments to think of our current political and social climate. Consider what you hear on the radio, see on the news or read on social media. What are some of the biggest issues that we face as a whole? Spend time during the week in prayer, meditating on these issues with God. Take note of the emotions that first arise when considering these things. Invite God into those emotions with you.
While you pray through this, seek God on how to respond to such issues. Do you find yourself drawn to the foolish and stupid arguments? Do you find yourself silent, afraid to stand alone? Are you weighed down by your doubts? Use this week to seek after becoming an imitator of the Lord, and in that fashion respond to what he is calling you to stand for.