"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god. "And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego. 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. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. (Daniel 1:1-2, 5-9, 17-20).
Sometimes Its Not Our Fault the Circumstances We're In
When one chooses to be disobedient, we may all have to face the consequences of his choice. "When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.(Romans 5:12). That's what King Jehoiakim did with Nebuchadnezzar. His choices put all of Judah in bondage. Our choices effect everyone in our camp. God is faithful and just. And the faithful and just must determine, like Daniel and his brothers, in their hearts to continue to walk with God until the end. No matter the circumstance, God is in control. Yes God gave Judah over to Babylon, but He equipped His faithful. God tells of His promise to us in Deuteronomy 31:6, to be strong and courageous, not be afraid or terrified because of our enemies, because the LORD our God goes with us, and he will never leave or forsake us. God's Word is Power. He honors our faith with His favor
God Honors Our Faith with His Favor
When Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself by partaking in the king of Babylon's meat and wine, God gave him and his brothers power /Wisdom to overcome. His choice helped those in his camp. His ten day fast of vegies and water, not only kept he and his brothers clean, but strengthened them as well. It was Daniel's Faith in God's perfect will and Supernatural timing that made them come out of this test like pure gold; "...their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat (Daniel 1:15). God gave Daniel and his brothers, like Job (Job 42:10), double for their trouble. He gave them an abundance of knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. They were so favored by God that the king of Babylon, their enemy, communed with them. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed with them; finding them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers; there was none like them in his whole kingdom (Daniel 1:17-20). All of this due to their continued faith in God. God honors our faith with Favor. We are no different. God chose us. We must continue to chose Him. Jesus said in the Book of Mark 8:34-36...Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Be faithful unto Him.
Must Jesus Bear The Cross Alone
Must Jesus bear the cross alone and all the world go free? No! There's a cross for every one, and there's a cross for me.....(Thomas Shepherd 1855). Don't make friends with the enemy, and expect to walk away free. There will be consequences. The scripture tell us in Revelations 2:5 to, "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Do a 180 turn around and don't look back. Stay committed!. God will provide.
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