Free to Choose to Follow God

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (Daniel 1:6-8)

We all the freedom to choose things in life. But not everything is good to have. Of our many choices, some may be unpopular . . . While it may not be sinful to be traditional, sociable, fashionable, or even popular, at times we have a bigger decision to make.

Our biggest challenge is to choose to follow God!

Daniel and his young friends were taken captive into a foreign land and trained to be leaders in this place called Babylon . . . a place of riches and opportunities if they played along. God had allowed them to be taken. Would it have been ok for them to play along and be good and obedient in order to simply survive? But Daniel met the challenge from God . . .

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. (Daniel 1:12-14)

This request may have cost the boys and the guard their lives. Have you ever been faced with a challenge from God? Perhaps it went against your friends opinions or was not very popular with your classmates? Whom did you choose? What happened? What do you think happens to Daniel and his friends?

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. . . .so they entered the king’s service. (Daniel 1:15-19)