The week I attend Maywood Christian Camp as a counselor is fast approaching and I am really looking forward to it again this year. Christian camp - or any other type of camp I suppose -- is usually totally loved or absolutely hated by those who attend. I totally love it. And I am honored to be able to participate as a counselor and Bible class teacher every year. It is truly a wonderful opportunity to serve the Lord and to be able to teach His word.
The lessons in our camp book this year are all on Daniel. Usually, the lessons center around a certain theme or main idea, but feature different Bible characters and stories. This year the book covers only two stories and one character. The first lesson is on Daniel and his three friends after they have first been captured (Daniel chapter 1). I am sure you remember the story. Verse 8 says that "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat."
Daniel asked on behalf of him and his 3 friends - Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, requested to be fed vegetables instead. Daniel was in favor with the prince of the king's eunuchs who was overseeing the "re-education" of these young men but he was afraid of the king and does not comply with Daniel's request. But he does not stop there. Daniel asked the steward responsible for bringing them (the four friends) their food that they be brought vegetables to eat and only water to drink for 10 days. After that time, he can compare them with the physical condition of the other young men. If they aren't doing as well as the others -- then they will eat the king's food.
OK -- what great courage and what an amazing faith Daniel had in executing this bargain with Melzar. We have studied history and read in the Bible too. The kings of other countries considered themselves to be (or almost to be) god themselves. No one anywhere in the kingdom would dare to defy the king. That is why the chief eunuch was afraid (v. 10). He did not want any trouble whatsoever with the king. Daniel was taking a great risk in asking this favor. Not only was he refusing the king's commandments, but he was asking those in charge of him to take part in disobeying him as well. He probably could have been killed for that alone. It took a lot of courage for a young man who had been kidnapped and brought to live in a strange land. Sure, they were being groomed to be in service in the king's court. But they were still prisoners.
Secondly, it seems that Daniel had absolutely no doubt whatsoever that he, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abednego) would be in as good a physical condition as the others who were eating the king's food. He had no qualms about making this deal. He knew -- he knew that God had his back. He knew that the four of them would be taken care of because they would be staying true to God's commandments. Now that my friends - is faith.
I am sure you have seen the quote attributed to Ben Stein - "Faith is not believing that God can. It is knowing that God will." Well, there are many Bible characters that this quote would fit -- many that perhaps Mr. Stein was thinking of when he said this. But Daniel could certainly have been one of them, don't you think? Daniel (and I believe his 3 friends also) knew - really knew- that God would take care of them as they ate the vegetables and water.
This powerful faith sustained Daniel all his life. We know from the scriptures that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had this same strong faith. These young men were so faithful to God and God blessed them tremendously.
Consider verses 19-20 of chapter 1 - "And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."
We know there are so many lessons we can learn from this. We teach the story of Daniel (this one and the one of him being thrown into the Lion's Den) to our children. I agree that they are good stories for our little ones to learn. Someone taught Daniel about God. He didn't just come into that strong unshakable faith by accident. Neither did his three friends. What stories were taught to him that exemplified great faith? Who were his heroes? I suppose Abel and Noah and Abraham were some of God's faithful that he knew about. And let's not forget Joseph, Moses and Joshua and Caleb. All great men of God -- all greatly rewarded. My point is that Daniel had learned these stories and had learned about the greatness of God probably from a very early age.
But these stories are not just for children. They are for adults as well. It is the stories of faith being rewarded -- of faith and devotion even in the face of persecution and sometimes death -- that keep us going. It is the hope -- that confidence that God will keep His promises that allow us to stay strong -- or to reinvigorate ourselves when we start to feel weak. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah are all great examples. We can learn much about keeping faith in the face of adversity from these young men. They should be an inspiration to us all. Remember Paul said that the Old Testament scriptures were written for our comfort and learning. Thinking of these four men- I can certainly understand that, can't you? Comfort in seeing that God is always faithful to His faithful ones. Learning that amazing faith like that can be attained and can bless our lives abundantly.
Just one more observation and I will end tonight's post. As I read through Chapter 1, I notice that there are more than 4 young men taken into exile. There are more than 4 young men chosen to taught the ways of the Chaldeans so that they can serve the king in his court. There are more than four young men that have been taught the ways and laws of the one true and living God. BUT only 4 were brave enough to continue to follow God's laws in a foreign, strange - pagan land. No wonder Jesus says that the way is "straight and narrow" and "few there be that find it."
Think about it. Each young man taken into captivity made his own choice. Each one had the responsibility of choosing to stay true to God's law or giving in to their captors. God has always given man free will. He is not willing that any perish. That is not what HE wants.
We make our own choices.
Now -- what will we decide?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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