Psalm 121:1-4 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.) As a child I misunderstood the first verse of this Psalm. Of course, at that time, the King James Version was the only version available, so it read “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Did God live in the hills? Did my help come from the hills? Fortunately, the newer translations have helped
Daniel 1:18-21 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.) The three years of grooming in Babylonian culture and training for service to King Nebuchadnezzar had finally come to an end. Daniel and his three friends had continued to remain faithful to God throughout this time, and they had chosen not to indulge in the rich foods the king had offered to them and the other young Israelite men the king had singled
Daniel 1:15-17 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.) God honored Daniel’s courage and diplomacy. Daniel and his three friends were visibly healthier than the other young men who ate the king’s rich food and wine. They were allowed to continue eating their healthy diet and to honor God. Not only did God bless their physical health for honoring him, he also blessed them with knowledge and understanding. Daniel was also given the gift
Daniel 1:11-14 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.) When the king’s guard was concerned for his own safety as well as Daniel’s life because of Daniel’s refusal to eat the kings food, Daniel exercised great wisdom. Rather than taking a defiant stand against eating the king’s food, he negotiated a proposal that turned the situation into a temporary test case. We would benefit from following Daniel’s example of resistance through
Daniel 1:8-10 (Click to read NIV or select your preferred translation of the Bible. Please read the scripture first.) Daniel was prepared to take a stand. He knew what foods God had forbidden his people to eat. Daniel was not willing to sacrifice his principles to please the king. Daniel’s decision to refuse the king’s food could have caused him to be executed, but he would not compromise God’s commands. Daniel’s decision to not partake these foods came out of