“Honor God”Devotion In Motion
Weekend Inspiration
07/30/21
Daniel 1:9-21 (Read)
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
When Daniel was offered the king’s food and wine, Daniel didn’t want to defile himself with meat that might have been offered to idols or with wine that would pervert or cloud his judgment (Proverbs 31:4). I’m sure God wouldn’t have faulted him had he partaken of the meat or wine. But, as Paul would say concerning meat and other issues, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12). In other words, all things aren’t wise.
So, Paul says that, although all things are lawful, some things will simply slow us down and tie us up. He went on to say, “All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” Paul loved his freedom too much to be enslaved.
Where did Daniel get such high standards? First, I believe they came from his parents. You see, Daniel’s name literally means “God is judge.” Hananiah means “The Lord is gracious.” Mishael means “None is like God.” Azariah means “The Lord is my help.” These were all godly names given by godly parents. When Daniel was born, a revival was taking place in the land of Judah led by a king named Josiah. He was the one who remodeled the temple, tore down the high places where the worship of pagan Gods was held. And as they were remodeling, They found the sole surviving copy of the Law of God, And as they read it, revival broke out. No doubt Daniel’s parents were influenced by this, as were the parents of his friends.
“Train up your children in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it,” Solomon declares (Proverbs 22:6). That’s a promise. Train your kids in the Word and ways of God and they will continue to walk with God, even if like the prodigal son they take a detour in life., but God’s promise is that if you train up your kids, they’ll walk with Him as time goes on.
In addition to parents at home, 2nd: Daniel had purpose in his heart. That is, he decided he wouldn’t defile himself. Are you being defiled tonight in some area? Victory begins when you purpose in your heart. When you Make a decision. Say, “That’s it. No more.”
Shammah comes to mind, one of David’s right-hand men. In 2 Samuel 23, we read that the Philistines were attacking and Shammah was given the job of guarding the beans. When the Philistines came, everyone else split and ran for their lives. Not Shammah. He said, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll stay on my post and do my job.” Shammah had purpose of heart. The Spirit of God came upon him and he whipped the entire Philistine army single-handedly just because he was watching a bunch of beans faithfully. That’s purpose of heart.
Maybe you might be wondering why you’re in the church nursery changing diapers Sunday after Sunday, or why you’re visiting people in the rest home week after week. But if the Lord has called you to do those things, be faithful. As He did with Shammah, He’ll honor you and meet you there.
Daniel 1:14-21( Read)
This is so true! You just can’t out-give God. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego gave themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord and what happened? They found favor with both God and man. When you give God your energy, talent, money, or ability, He will not “owe you one.” He’ll give back to you exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).
The disciples certainly didn’t lose out by loaning their boat to use as a floating pulpit fo the Lord, because in return He blessed them with so many fish their boat almost sunk (Luke 5). When the little boy gave his lunch to the Lord, he was one of the 5,000 in attendance in a deserted place but, were filled to overflowing (Mark 6). When the widow gave her last bit of meal and oil to Elijah, she never lacked again (1 Kings 17).
One of the great lies of Satan is to try and get people to think that if they serve the Lord, they will be unpopular and they will be ostracized. That’s just not true. Parents, show your kids the example of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. Say, “Here’s some young men who refused to give in to the pressures and pleasures of the world—and they found favor with God and with men, look Jesus said “you will, not you might, you will have tribulation but be of good cheer for I have overcome the world”.” Yes, you will experience some persecution if you give your life to the Lord—but there will be a sterling quality about your life and an attractiveness that comes only from walking with God.
Miss that and you’ll miss out on so much that God wants to do in your life.Daniel was probably fifteen years old at this time. He lived until he was at least eighty-five. For the entire seventy years of the Babylonian captivity, Daniel was in a place of leadership and service because God had honored him.
Look! We sometimes have a wrong image of God the Father. We think that whoever gives himself to God will be miserable. But nothing could be farther from the truth. Jesus said, “If you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give good gifts to His?” (Matthew 7:11). 1 Samuel 2:30 tells us, “The LORD God of Israel says… those who honor Me I will honor.” That was the case with Daniel and his friends.
Verse 21, “Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.” This is amazing – the exclamation point on Chapter 1. Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar’s kingdom, will eventually fall to the Persian King Cyrus. And guess who Cyrus employs in his government? Daniel and his buddies!
Why? Because they refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s rules, and stayed true to God and his word, Daniel outlived Babylon. God blessed Daniel over Babel.
It proves the truth of 1 John 2:17, “The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”
Serve God. He’ll bless your life. He really will.
“The LORD God of Israel says… those who honor Me I will honor.”
Someone once said :
“A man’s Character is bound up in what or who he honors” Amen
Victor Tafoya
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