Bible Study: Daniel chapter 1

Daniel 1:1-5
Unusual opportunity

We are what we are because of the grace of God and not by our might / knowledge / talents.

Daniel was given an unusual opportunity. Out of all Jewish slaves, Daniel and his friends were honoured. The honour is because of the grace of God.

Daniel 1:6-8
Stand by Daniel

Wherever we are, we should stand for God and not be intimidated by men and their authority.

The Babylonians tried to change the identity and principles of the Israelites. Yet Daniel and his friends stood for their identities and principles.

1. Stand for identity: Daniel and his friends were renamed and called after Babylonian Gods. Even though their names were changed, yet their identities were not lost.

2. Stand for principles: Daniel and his friends were offered meat and wine from the table of the Babylonian King. This honour was given only for selected men. But even though they were slaves, bound by the King's laws, they never chose to go with their physical senses of 'taste'/'sight'.

They stood for God and did not sacrifice their principles, inspite of the King's decrees.

Daniel 1:9-14
Daniel was not put to shame

If we stand for God, we'll be placed in awkward position by men. But God'll surely honour us.

It is natural that non-Vegetarian foods have more calories than vegetarian foods. But in the case of Daniel and his friends, even when they ate pulses and vegetables, they looked healthier and stronger than the people who ate meat and wine. God is not controlled or limited by natural laws. If we stand for God, God will honour us irrespective of natural laws.

Daniel 1:15-20
God honoured Daniel and his friends

Though Daniel and his friends were slaves in Babylon, yet they were 10 times wiser and more brilliant than the Babylonians.

So, let us all please God wherever we are and whenever possible. God will surely give His grace to build our place on a solid rock and not on sinking sand.

"YOUR WALK TALKS LOUDER THAN YOUR TALK TALKS"