When Daniel arrived in Babylon as a slave, the king ordered him to be trained in the wisdom of Babylon for three years so that he could serve him afterward. He was only allowed to eat the king's food and wine. However, he wasn't willing to eat the king's food and wine because it had been offered to the gods of Babylon, and for him to eat the food and drink the wine would be a sin against his God. Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king's food and drink, so he asked permission from the commander that watched over him to give him vegetables and water only. God gave Daniel favor from the commander that he granted Daniel his request. Since Daniel chose not to defile himself with the king's food and drink, God blessed him and his friends with knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom. Daniel was able to understand all kinds of visions and dreams. After three years of training, Daniel and his three friends were the best in their class. When the king tested them, he found them ten times better than his magicians and enchanters, so they entered the king's personal service. (Daniel 1:8-21).
It would have been easy for Daniel and his friends to compromise their faith in God, and they could have chosen to eat the king's food and drink. After all, they were ordered by the king. In our society today, it is easy for us to compromise our faith in God, especially when unbelievers surround us. I remember when I was working in IT in Las Vegas, my boss always invited our department to drink at a bar after work, and I knew that if my friends from church saw me in the bar drinking, it would not be good. I went with my boss and coworker because I tried to please them instead of the God who loves me. I wanted to climb the corporate ladder and be promoted, but God confronted me and asked me to choose who to serve: myself or Him. I realized that I was going in the wrong direction, so I repented and decided to follow God and trust Him completely. After I made up my mind to please God, I stopped drinking with my boss and coworker, and God blessed me more at work.
Let us chose God and not compromise our faith in God. There are so many blessings that come from putting God first in our lives because he is the source of knowledge, understanding, opportunities, and life.
Ask yourself these questions: Why is it important for me to put God first in my life? Am I willing to not compromise my faith in God in home, school, and work?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me this morning that you are the source of blessings. Please help me not to compromise my faith in you. Please help me to be faithful to you in whatever situation that I am in. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.