The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Daniel 1:5, 8, “And the king appointed for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and appointed that they should be educated three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service…

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself.”

Were you ever faced with doing something that you knew was wrong? I think we all have,

but what did you do? These verses concentrate on a young Jewish man, who was faced with a severe test. King Nebuchadnezzar was the powerful King of Babylon. He had captured the people in Jerusalem, and among the captives was a young man named Daniel.

You might at first not believe that Daniel was ill-treated, because the king set everything before him that was intended to make him strong and intelligent –things that would qualify him to rank highly in the king’s service.

Problem was that Daniel was already destined for the King’s service –not that of Nebuchadnezzar, but for the service of the LORD God of Israel. Thus, when all of the rich foods the king set before him, he would not partake. He simply determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s delicacies. He would serve the LORD regardless of the king’s threats.

This is “big stuff” for Daniel. He could be in real trouble. He could even lose his life! Ever been in something like that? I have! It’s a test of your standards. If you believe something is wrong, don’t do it. The LORD will hold you accountable for doing what you know in your heart is wrong to do. If you choose not to do what you know is wrong, count on your peers to jeer and make fun of you. They do that, of course, because they don’t have your conviction and the courage to resist.

Daniel was not a smartaleck . He just had his head on straight. He knew who his LORD was, and he reasoned that it was better to face Nebuchadnezzar than to face the LORD. It that what you would have done? Is that what you do when you’re faced with a decision? At the same time, note that Daniel sought permission from “the commander of the officials” to reject the king’s fine food. I can’t tell the end of the story in this short space, but Daniel was victorious over his opposition! It’s always that way when we obey and put the LORD first.

I’m praying for you and for our nation! I fear the judgment of the LORD more than I fear any authorities here on this Earth.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas 72764

United States of America

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”