Written by
Luke
God sent Israel into the hands of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 1:1-2). After a victory, the Babylonians usually took the most talented and useful people back to Babylon and left only the poorest people behind (2 Kings 24:14). God promises that He would never forsake Israel, and His promises never fail. So even in exile, God is in control.
Among these exiles were Daniel and his three friends – Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (Daniel 1:6). The chief of the eunuchs changed their names because the king wanted to make them to be Babylonian. Daniel was named Belteshazzar, Hananiah was named Shadrach, Mishael was named Meshach and Azariah was named Abednego. The new names would help them to be assimilated into their culture.
Despite being exiled in a foreign land under oppressive circumstances, Daniel and his friends remain firm in their convictions. Their obedience and faithfulness to God not only protects them and sets them apart, but also leads them to God’s favor, and makes them wise.
Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the King’s food, or with the wine that the King drank (Daniel 1:8). When he made up his mind not to defile himself, he was being true to a lifelong determination to be what was right and not to give in to the pressures around him.
It is easier to resist temptation if we have thought through our convictions before the temptation arises. Daniel and his three friends made their decision to be faithful to the laws of God before they were faced with the King’s delicacies.
We, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. If we have not previously decided where to draw the line, we will get ourselves into trouble. Before such situations arise, we must make our commitments and decide what we will do. Then when temptation comes, we will be ready to say no.
Often our faithfulness to God comes with trials. But Daniel 1 encourages us to remain faithful and gives us assurance that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:39). Like Daniel, we must resolve to obey God. Despite any challenges, God is in control.