DANIEL S.O.A.P. ~ CHAPTER 1
Monday, 5/4/26
Something (Someone?) led me to the Old Testament and Daniel this morning... I don't think we've read here before - or at least not in a long time...
SCRIPTURE:
Daniel decided not to eat the king’s food or drink his wine because that would make him unclean. So he asked Ashpenaz for permission not to make himself unclean in this way. ~ Daniel 1:8
OBSERVATION:
I did a little rooting around here and found out some more about this verse...
At first I thought it had to do with what food was presented - pork, shellfish, etc. - called out early in the Old Testament as unfit for the Israelites to eat...
But I also found (coincidentally - and y'all know how I feel about that), that the Babylonian food was offered to idols - which, "strangely enough," returns us to what Paul was talking about back in Corinthians a couple of weeks or so ago...
Also, this was Daniel's subtle way of refusing to accept the new Babylonian name given him in verse seven
Daniel, it seems here, was speaking just for himself...
...but the other three followed his lead and refused to the king's food...
...and in the same way refused their new names as well...
And lastly, it occurred to me that Daniel wasn't belligerent in refusal...
He asked for permission...
He didn't demand it - not that he was in any position to do that, but still...
So what does all of this say to me?
Be mindful of the things I take in - and not just what I eat - just because it's okay for others, what does it mean to me and my walk...
I may never know what my words and actions may mean to others - especially in terms of their faith...
How I stand before the Lord will include how I stand before others, in the actions and words I use with them for things I say and do (or don't do, for that matter).
APPLICATION:
Be mindful of things that appear acceptable...
...in my actions...
...in my speech...
...in my relationships with others...
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father God - I ask forgiveness for the things I've done that may appear acceptable to those around me, but that Your Spirit urges me to refuse - May my thoughts, words, and actions be acceptable in Your sight, and may how I treat and live with those You bring into my life reflect Your will and follow the example of Jesus in following Your purposes and bringing Your kingdom - In His Name, and for Your glory, honor, and praise...
Yours, in Him... 𝖌
