Set Apart for God
Set Apart for God
"So Daniel said to the steward...“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies...” (Daniel 1:11-13)
Daniel had already purposed in his heart not to defile himself but now he was willing to put his faith into action. When the steward overseeing Daniel and his friends feared losing his own life if they didn't follow the meal plan, Daniel saw this as an opportunity for his faith and his God to be made known. He initiated a test that he confidently believed would show how doing things God's way would be far greater than simply going with the flow of Babylon.
So Daniel asked to be tested for ten days to prove that he and his friends would be better off by staying true to their God given convictions rather than to give in to the compromising culture of Babylon.
Have you every had to take a stand for your faith where you had to trust God and leave the results up to Him?
Every time we go through a test or trial or temptation, we are being refined. Either we are building up our character or we are compromising in our faith. We cannot do both at the same time. We certainly can learn from any past shortcomings but the Lord desires that we align our will with His will.
Psalm 4:3 says, "But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Daniel was set apart for God and was not going to give in to the urge to indulge in the flesh and get too comfortable in Babylon. Instead of eating the king's delicacies, he learned to feed on God's faithfulness.
Jesus said , "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" (John 4:34). This should challenge all of us to consider our daily diet.
Have you personally prioritized the spiritual food of God over the destructive diet of this world? If so, what kind of spiritual food are you using to nourish your heart, mind and soul? Are there areas in your life where you need to stand firm against Babylonian offers and remain firm in your faith?
Daniel and his friends were offered the finest foods and wine from the king's table, yet they chose to follow God's dietary laws, requesting vegetables and water instead. In our spiritual lives today, the king's finest food and wine represents the offerings of this world whereas God’s dietary laws represents the Word of God and the Living Water that gives life and never rests or runs dry.
Are you letting living water flow through you onto others and are you partaking regularly from the Lord's table even when it seems challenging?
Daniel's decision to be tested seemed risky and could have led to dire consequences, but they TRUSTED GOD. After ten days, they appeared much healthier and more nourished than those who ate the king's food. This miraculous outcome was a testament to their faith and God's faithfulness.
Their commitment to God not only preserved their well-being but also set them apart as wise and knowledgeable men in the king's court. This story teaches us the importance of maintaining our integrity and faithfulness to God, regardless of external pressures and influences. The end result was that Daniel and his friends looked ten times better to the king.
We are all called to be sanctified or set apart for God. Daniel shows us how to make faith a permanent FIXTURE in our lives and how to get rid of any possible MIXTURE in our hearts.
Positionally, we are already sanctified in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30), but, practically, we must learn to yield to God and trust Him to further our sanctification.
The Apostle Peter says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15)
Here are the three things that help or enhance our call to be further sanctified:
If we are not continually LEAVING the evils of this world, we may end up LOVING this world. This is what happened to Demas who had forsaken Paul, “having loved this present world...” (2 Tim. 4:10)
Therefore, we need the Word of God CORRECT us...the people of God to INSPECT us...and the Spirit of God to PERFECT us.
As the Apostle John says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)
DANIEL CHALLENGE:
Sanctify your heart from any doors of corruption and
Solidify your will to live out your conviction.
"So Daniel said to the steward...“Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies...” (Daniel 1:11-13)
Daniel had already purposed in his heart not to defile himself but now he was willing to put his faith into action. When the steward overseeing Daniel and his friends feared losing his own life if they didn't follow the meal plan, Daniel saw this as an opportunity for his faith and his God to be made known. He initiated a test that he confidently believed would show how doing things God's way would be far greater than simply going with the flow of Babylon.
So Daniel asked to be tested for ten days to prove that he and his friends would be better off by staying true to their God given convictions rather than to give in to the compromising culture of Babylon.
Have you every had to take a stand for your faith where you had to trust God and leave the results up to Him?
Every time we go through a test or trial or temptation, we are being refined. Either we are building up our character or we are compromising in our faith. We cannot do both at the same time. We certainly can learn from any past shortcomings but the Lord desires that we align our will with His will.
Psalm 4:3 says, "But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly; The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Daniel was set apart for God and was not going to give in to the urge to indulge in the flesh and get too comfortable in Babylon. Instead of eating the king's delicacies, he learned to feed on God's faithfulness.
Jesus said , "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" (John 4:34). This should challenge all of us to consider our daily diet.
Have you personally prioritized the spiritual food of God over the destructive diet of this world? If so, what kind of spiritual food are you using to nourish your heart, mind and soul? Are there areas in your life where you need to stand firm against Babylonian offers and remain firm in your faith?
Daniel and his friends were offered the finest foods and wine from the king's table, yet they chose to follow God's dietary laws, requesting vegetables and water instead. In our spiritual lives today, the king's finest food and wine represents the offerings of this world whereas God’s dietary laws represents the Word of God and the Living Water that gives life and never rests or runs dry.
Are you letting living water flow through you onto others and are you partaking regularly from the Lord's table even when it seems challenging?
Daniel's decision to be tested seemed risky and could have led to dire consequences, but they TRUSTED GOD. After ten days, they appeared much healthier and more nourished than those who ate the king's food. This miraculous outcome was a testament to their faith and God's faithfulness.
Their commitment to God not only preserved their well-being but also set them apart as wise and knowledgeable men in the king's court. This story teaches us the importance of maintaining our integrity and faithfulness to God, regardless of external pressures and influences. The end result was that Daniel and his friends looked ten times better to the king.
We are all called to be sanctified or set apart for God. Daniel shows us how to make faith a permanent FIXTURE in our lives and how to get rid of any possible MIXTURE in our hearts.
Positionally, we are already sanctified in Christ (1 Cor. 1:30), but, practically, we must learn to yield to God and trust Him to further our sanctification.
The Apostle Peter says, "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15)
Here are the three things that help or enhance our call to be further sanctified:
- Our FAITH: Knowing where you place your trust.
- Our IDENTITY: Knowing what truly defines you.
- Our PURPOSE: Knowing why you are even here.
If we are not continually LEAVING the evils of this world, we may end up LOVING this world. This is what happened to Demas who had forsaken Paul, “having loved this present world...” (2 Tim. 4:10)
Therefore, we need the Word of God CORRECT us...the people of God to INSPECT us...and the Spirit of God to PERFECT us.
As the Apostle John says, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:15-17)
DANIEL CHALLENGE:
Sanctify your heart from any doors of corruption and
Solidify your will to live out your conviction.
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
2024
January
February
April
May
August
September
October
November
Categories
no categories
No Comments