My heart was encouraged by God’s care and sovereignty in Daniel chapter 1. Daniel finds himself in a difficult situation, he is a young man removed from his home. He was brought away into captivity. However, this is not outside the hand of the Lord. “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand” (Daniel 1:1-2 ESV)
Daniel responds to this situation in faithful obedience. He refuses to defile himself with the kings food. I wonder what the response of most Christians would be, or what my response would be. Would I have been faithful to obey God if He had just delivered me into captivity? Often times, a trial or difficult situation will cause us to doubt God’s goodness and care. It seemed to do the opposite for Daniel. He understood that God had given him and his people into captivity, and yet he remained faithful to God’s law. Daniel was resolved to obey and be faithful despite his current circumstance. Then something remarkable happens.
“And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs” (Daniel 1:9 ESV) God gives Daniel favor, or grace. In this case, God gave Daniel and his friends learning and skill in literature and wisdom (Dan 1:17). This leads to Daniel and his friends being accepted and ultimately it leads to God being glorified.
The simple truth is this: recognizing God’s hand on our lives frees us to obey. Daniel was faithful to obey God and seek Him even though he was put in a tough spot, and God granted him favor. Let’s be people of resolve and steady obedience, and trust in God to grant grace and favor.
14 Jul
