Whether we realize it or not, our human nature seeks to blend in. In fact, many of us go to great lengths not to stand out in a crowd, but to, instead, fit in. While our human nature wants to fit in with those around us, Scripture calls followers of Christ to live completely the opposite way. We are called to live differently from the rest of the world because of our relationships with Christ. We are called not to live for anyone or anything in this world, but to live solely for God and God alone. Living for God and His kingdom means standing out, looking remarkably different from the rest of the world.
The prophet Daniel set an example for each one of us of what it looks like to live set apart from the rest of the world. We learn the beginning of his story in Daniel 1. The king of Babylon had overtaken Judah and taken some of the people of Judah as captives to Babylon. During this time, the King ordered that some of the healthy and strong young men who had been brought to Babylon be taught and trained “in the language and literature of Babylon” (verse 4). The king ordered that these men be given “a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens” and “trained for three years” (verse 4). Ultimately, the goal for these young men was for them to “enter the royal service” (verse 5). Can you imagine what was going on in the minds of these young men? They had been taken from their homes and were now being completely integrated into Babylonian culture. They were even given Babylonian names so that they would be that much further removed from their Jewish heritage. In other words, these men were to forget that they were Hebrews who worshiped the one true God.
Among the young men chosen to serve in the king’s court were Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Scripture tells us that during this time, Daniel resolved to live differently from the rest of the Babylonian culture. “Daniel,” verse 8 tells us, “was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king.” Eating the meat from the king, which had been sacrificed to idols, and drinking the king’s wine would have defiled Daniel and his friends. In the midst of a culture trying to convince him to turn away from God, Daniel chose to honor his God, the King of all earthly kings, over King Nebuchadnezzar. He asked for permission for himself, along with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, to drink only water and eat only vegetables. God was with them, and the king’s chief of staff granted this request. Daniel and his friends were allowed to eat only vegetables and water for 10 days. After 10 days, the chief of staff said he would examine Daniel and his three friends to ensure they were healthy and strong (verses 11-14). God honored their integrity, and “at the end of 10 days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king” (verse 15).
Daniel did not know what the outcome would be of making his request. He simply held on to his resolve to be a man of integrity who did what he said he would do. In an environment where he was encouraged in every way to look like the surrounding Babylonian culture, Daniel held on to his integrity. What about you? When it comes to your life, are you living with the same resolve, committing to live with integrity, living according to God’s word rather than the rest of the world? May we, with the resolve of Daniel, determine to live differently than the rest of this world and live to honor the King of all kings above all else.
Is there anything in this world apart from Christ that you have been living for or hanging on to? Confess to God anything that has tempted you to sway from your integrity. Tell Him anything that has distracted you or taken you off course in your pursuit to follow Him and live with integrity. Ask Him to help you let go of anything keeping you from being a fully devoted follower of Christ.
“God, as I examine the things of this world vying for my attention and affection, I confess.”
1 During the third year of King Jehoiakim’s reign in Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 The Lord gave him victory over King Jehoiakim of Judah and permitted him to take some of the sacred objects from the Temple of God. So Nebuchadnezzar took them back to the land of Babylonia and placed them in the treasure-house of his god.
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah’s royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. 4 “Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” 5 The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.
6 Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. 7 The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:
Daniel was called Belteshazzar.
Hananiah was called Shadrach.
Mishael was called Meshach.
Azariah was called Abednego.
8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”
11 Daniel spoke with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 12 “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. 13 “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” 14 The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. 16 So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.
17 God gave these four young men an unusual aptitude for understanding every aspect of literature and wisdom. And God gave Daniel the special ability to interpret the meanings of visions and dreams.
18 When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service. 20 Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
21 Daniel remained in the royal service until the first year of the reign of King Cyrus.
