January 16, 2012
Daniel Overview:
They thought Jeremiah was crazy, but here they are, captive in Babylon and Jerusalem is in ruins. But through it all Daniel thrived. He believed God was Sovereign. Nothing happens without His knowledge. Nothing happens outside of His plan. But even Daniel could never have imagined the plans God had for him. Everything God blessed Daniel with was for God's glory. Daniel pointed people to God, and God sustained Daniel.
Daniel is one of the exiles in Babylon. The LORD "allowed" Nebuchadnezzar to capture the king and some of the Israelite people. God had Daniel right where He wanted him. He wasn't being punished. God had a plan, and Daniel was part of it Daniel was young and he was faithful.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed one of his officers to choose some young men who were from the important families of Judah, including the king's family. He wanted them to be handsome, smart, and the best of the best. They were to be trained for three years and then they were to be servants to the king. He would look impressive to have such young, strong, handsome, and capable men of Judah as his servants. But they weren't his—they were God's. They were given the names of Belteshazzar (Daniel), Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
They were to be fed the King's diet everyday. The problem was the food in the King's diet went against the instructions God had clearly given His people. Daniel and the others decided not to break God's commands. They had to have had deep personal and solid convictions. They were young. They were captive. They were being offered the king's best. But still they were faithful and obeyed God's commands. They asked to be fed only what God allowed. The officer was afraid of what would happen to him if they didn't look as healthy as the rest. Daniel asked the guard to give it a test for ten days, and he did. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and the other three looked healthier than anyone else. Because of their faithfulness, "God gave these four young men wisdom and the ability to learn..."
Daniel 1:8 - Daniel obeyed.
Daniel 1:17 - God blessed.
Remember the order!! Blessings follow obedience. Obedience must come first.
Next Entry: Daniel 2:1–49
Daniel Overview:
They thought Jeremiah was crazy, but here they are, captive in Babylon and Jerusalem is in ruins. But through it all Daniel thrived. He believed God was Sovereign. Nothing happens without His knowledge. Nothing happens outside of His plan. But even Daniel could never have imagined the plans God had for him. Everything God blessed Daniel with was for God's glory. Daniel pointed people to God, and God sustained Daniel.
- God leads in our lives even in difficult circumstances
- Sometimes faithfulness is rewarded by miracles
- God will be faithful to His people in the future as He has in the past
Daniel is one of the exiles in Babylon. The LORD "allowed" Nebuchadnezzar to capture the king and some of the Israelite people. God had Daniel right where He wanted him. He wasn't being punished. God had a plan, and Daniel was part of it Daniel was young and he was faithful.
Nebuchadnezzar appointed one of his officers to choose some young men who were from the important families of Judah, including the king's family. He wanted them to be handsome, smart, and the best of the best. They were to be trained for three years and then they were to be servants to the king. He would look impressive to have such young, strong, handsome, and capable men of Judah as his servants. But they weren't his—they were God's. They were given the names of Belteshazzar (Daniel), Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego.
They were to be fed the King's diet everyday. The problem was the food in the King's diet went against the instructions God had clearly given His people. Daniel and the others decided not to break God's commands. They had to have had deep personal and solid convictions. They were young. They were captive. They were being offered the king's best. But still they were faithful and obeyed God's commands. They asked to be fed only what God allowed. The officer was afraid of what would happen to him if they didn't look as healthy as the rest. Daniel asked the guard to give it a test for ten days, and he did. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and the other three looked healthier than anyone else. Because of their faithfulness, "God gave these four young men wisdom and the ability to learn..."
Daniel 1:8 - Daniel obeyed.
Daniel 1:17 - God blessed.
Remember the order!! Blessings follow obedience. Obedience must come first.
Next Entry: Daniel 2:1–49
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