The book of Daniel opens with the account of God handing over the king of Judah, her people, and her treasures to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar. Those first two verses in the first chapter of Daniel were quite frightening; imagine being handed over to your enemy to be enslaved and or probably killed. Why would God do this to His beloved people? 'Where is His mercy', many cry out today when they read these and many more Scriptures like that. Why would God send His people into slavery and suffering, many yell today, especially in the face of current happenings around the world or in their personal lives.
Those that say such are yet to understand the extent of His mercy and love. In His mercy, He gives His people a chance to repent and return to Him because He is holy; and those that must worship Him must do so in holiness. In His love, to experience that life outside of Him is empty and filled with darkness devoid of any form of light. His love brings light into the lives of men. No wonder the Psalmist declared, by the Holy Spirit, "When I suffered, it was good for me. It helped me to learn Your commands. Lord, I know that Your rules are good and fair. When You sent trouble to me, it was because You truly loved me" (Psalms 119:71, 75, EASY).
We read further in Daniel 1, the king of Babylon ordered his chief court official to bring some of the Israelites: "...from the royal family and the nobility - young men without any physical defect, good-looking, suitable for instruction in all wisdom, knowledgeable, perceptive and capable of serving in the king's palace - and to teach them the Chaldean language and literature" (Daniel 1:3b-4, HCSB). We may declare this is Old Testament and it can't possibly happen in our time. Beloved, open your eyes, it is presently happening and will continue to do so until the return of the LORD Jesus Christ!
Now, this brings us to our first initial question, why would a loving God allow this to happen in our time? James tells us: "Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God” [for temptation does not originate from God, but from our own flaws]; for God cannot be tempted by [what is] evil, and He Himself tempts no one. But each one is tempted when he is dragged away, enticed and baited [to commit sin] by his own [worldly] desire (lust, passion)" (James 1:13-14, AMP).
Today, people are lured and taken captive, and even killed by their lusts and greed! Just as it was during the days of king Nebuchadnezzar, the best and talented in the society are being carried off daily into the courts of the world system for them to 'serve' or 'do business' in the king's palace (the god of this world - the devil). The mediocre and the lazy are not needed as much, as they would not profit the king of this world (the devil). The devil needs more those that are strong, knowledgeable, perceptive, good-looking, etc to do his business. Daily those of the camp of the devil serve them a regular staple of choice wine and food from his table. But Daniel and his friends were perceptive enough to know something was not very right with the food they were to be served despite the fact they were part of the chosen class.
Beloved, the Bible tells us that we are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, called out of the darkness of this world into the marvelous light of God (1Peter 2:9). Though we are in the world - in the court of the king of the world, we are not part of the world's system; just as Daniel and his 3 friends were not. All the young men that were chosen were of noble and royal blood, meaning they were set apart for great work. Yet these men aside from Daniel and his 3 friends were not perceptive enough to know that something was wrong with the invitation.
You may wonder how did Daniel know not to eat from this table. The Bible tells us: "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful" (Joshua 1:8, AMP). We know that Daniel read the Book of the Law and he made sure to live by what it says. We saw this when he declared: "In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem" (Daniel 9:2, NKJV). Meaning, he constantly read and meditated on God's Word.
The Word of God is clear, when we keep our focus on His Word we will not fall into the carefully laid traps of the enemy. And beloved, they are many today, and will continue to increase as we see the Day of the Return of the LORD draw closer! By the Spirit of God, we understand that to survive in this world and serve the LORD Jesus Christ acceptably, we must of necessity do as the Psalmist did: "How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts]. Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, That I may not sin against You" (Psalms 119:9, 11 AMP).
Finally, beloved, what you have treasured in your heart is what will determine if you will feast on the choice table of the king of this world or the Table of the King of kings. You cannot feast from both! Determine like Daniel and his friends not to allow the winds of hell blow you from your firm position in the Presence of the King of kings. As you determine in your heart to stand, may the LORD strengthen your heart and keep you in the circle of His love till He comes, in Jesus Christ name, Amen. God bless you.
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