Daniel Knew that God Would

Have you ever seen the quote, "Faith is not believing that God can, but knowing that He will?"  Think about that.  It goes pretty deep doesn't it?  There really is a difference between believing and knowing.  Our faith is God should be based on knowing - knowing God will keep His promises.

We see faith exemplified and rewarded in many ways.  We probably all have experienced times in our lives (and seen it in the lives of others) where we acted on our faith in God.  Maybe there was an occasion when we just took a giant leap of faith.  In turn, our Heavenly Father rewarded us richly. 

One beautiful example of knowing that God will is the example of Daniel and his 3 friends as told in Daniel Chapter 1.  It is a wonderful story of faith affirmed.  

Daniel, along with many other Israelites were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon.  Daniel and his friends were part of the group of young men taken to be trained to serve in the king's court.  

According to what I have studied, Daniel was anywhere from 15 to 20 when this all took place.  It is logical to assume he was young enough to be "re-trained," so it makes sense. 
     

These young men were those who were healthy, good looking (Daniel 1:4 says they had no blemish) and intelligent.  But they were Jewish, not Chaldean.  They were to be taught the Chaldean language and culture.  

The king wanted them to totally forget their past and who they were.  How would you feel if this happened to you?  These young men were probably frightened.  They were ripped from their homes - their homeland, and their families.  They were even given new names. 

The name Daniel means - "God is my judge."  His new name was "Beltshazzar" which was in honor of one of the Babylonian gods.  It meant "Bel protect his life."  See what I mean about stripping their identity from them?

 Daniel's three friends, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah are brought in to be trained as per the instructions of the king.  These three were re-named Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. 

According to verse 5, they were all given a daily portion of the king's food.  The king meant to nourish them with the best food the land had to offer so that they would be able to "stand before the king."

The food, however, was not "clean."  It was not allowed by God's law for the Jewish people to eat this type of food.  

Here is where Daniel's knowing faith comes in.  Verse 8 says, "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king's meat."  He requested not to have to eat the king's food.  

Verse 9 says God brought Daniel into favor with the prince of the eunuchs.  God knew Daniel's heart and He provided a way for Daniel so that he would not have to defile himself with the king's meat.

Had Daniel not been regarded with such high favor by the chief eunuch, it is very likely his request would have been ignored.  He & his friends would have been forced to eat whatever was given them.  

Daniel bargained with the eunuch.  He requested that they be given vegetables and water for ten days.  This way Daniel, Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah would not be disobeying God's laws.  

At the end of the 10 days, the chief eunuch could compare these four with all the others who were eating from the king's table.  If the four of them did not look as healthy as the others, they would also eat the king's food.  

But if they looked as healthy and fair as the other young men,  they would be allowed to continue eating vegetables and drinking water.  

This event when Daniel was young is typical of the way he lived his entire life.  He never allowed himself to break God's laws.  He always trusted God would provide a way for Him.

Was this bargain a gamble? I don't think so.  I think this is a perfect example of someone who "knew that God would."  He never doubted for one second he and his friends would pass this test.  

He knew that he was obeying God's laws; and he knew that God would make sure they were as healthy as the other young men. This was no gamble.  It was an act of pure faith.  

We can all learn from Daniel and his friends.  Our faith must be a confident, knowing faith.  We should know God will take care of us as long as we are striving to do His will.  

  
Hebrews 11:6 says - "But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he that cometh to God must believe (know) that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."  

I think these four young men sought to please God.  They knew He would reward them.  Why?  Because they diligently sought Him by staying true to His teachings. 

What a wonderful record of a 'knowing God will' kind of faith!

Christ above all things - Robin