Friday, 21^st April 2023

Andrews Ampomah

TOPIC: DON’T GIVE IN

THEME SCRIPTURE: “But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself.” – Daniel 1:8

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Why did Daniel resolve not to defile himself?

There are no two institutions across the world with the same culture and behavior. Each organization has a distinct culture and identity. Serious companies carefully onboard and orient new hires for a reason. The objective is to get new recruits to understand how the organization functions.

Babylon, the greatest civilization during Daniel's time, is introduced in our context. After conquering Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar chose intelligent, unblemished royal family members. He needed them to learn Chaldean literature and language and change their identities during orientation. These young men were introduced to the pinnacle of the greatest civilization at that time and were served with the best in all forms.

The goal was to change their identity, language, and ultimately who they are.

Nebuchadnezzar gave them new names— (Daniel 1:7). A person's name instantly reveals their tribe or region in our part of the world. The tradition of the Jews was to give their children names that reminded them of God. Daniel means "‘God is my judge." Hananiah means "Yahweh is gracious." Mishael means, ‘Who is what God is?’ Azariah means ‘Yahweh is my helper’. Nebuchadnezzar, intending to ensure that these young men forget their religious and cultural identities, gave them new names. To Daniel, Belteshazzar, which means ‘O Lady (wife of the god Bel) protect us'. To Hananiah, Shadrach which means command of Aku (the moon god). To Mishael, Meshach which means who is like Aku. To Azariah, Abednego which means servant of the shining one (Nebo).

Nebuchadnezzar taught them the language and literature of Babylon (Daniel 1:5). Teaching a people to speak one's language is the easiest way to rule them. Nebuchadnezzar taught them Babylonian language and mythology to gain complete control over these young men. To make these young men act like Babylonians, he did this.

Beloved in Christ, the world systems around us, under the devil's strong influence, work to ensure Christians forget who they are in Christ Jesus.

The devil employs subtle ways and sometimes aggressively by tagging and calling Christians all sorts of names. The world systems, through the high machinations of Satan and his cohorts, are trying to force everyone to speak and find acceptable demonic culture and behavior. Some Christians have denied their identity, and others have spoken in a way that makes it hard to identify them as Christians.

Beloved, resolve today to consciously live by your identity as a Christian and conduct yourself in a manner worthy of your call in Christ. God bless you as you keep to your Christian ideals no matter the situation in which you find yourself.

 

FURTHER READING – Daniel 1:1-21

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. How strongly have you held unto your Christian identity?

CONFESSION

Heavenly Father, grant me grace through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to live as an uncompromising Christian in a compromising world in Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

Deuteronomy 4; Proverbs 31 John 15; John 16