Dear God: I Choose You~ by CD Swanson
Daniel understood God’s law prohibited eating foods that were being offered to idols. He was in Babylon in full captivity—a place that worshiped false gods—when he soon faced a difficult decision. King Nebuchadnezzar demanded that only the finest foods be sent for Daniel’s consumption, but only after being presented to idols.
The question became for Daniel “was it better to merely obey the king—or, disobey God to please the king? The underlying issues were about allegiance to God. He could have reasoned that breaking the divine command was because he had no choice, that he was just a servant. That would have been an easy justification for disobedience. However, Daniel was filled with a driven desire to do what was right in the eyes of God—and so as a result, he resolved not to eat the royal food, and sought instead, for a way that would honor the Lord by keeping God’s laws.
Prayer and a reverent mind and heart helped Daniel, and through God, he was strengthened, and able to pursue the righteous path instead of the thorny road.
It’s vital to realize that obeying God is clearly the right choice. No matter what the world is doing, or what your friends think is “cool” – outside of God’s will and laws, it’s like walking the tightrope without the protective net below. However, with God—should we fall, or slip…He is always there to catch us.
Prayers and daily dedication/worship is the preponderance of servitude in His eyes. To become like Daniel, it’s crucial to facilitate a wholehearted commitment to follow the Lord and consistently apply Scripture to circumstances and decisions. Then, when a challenge comes, we’ll have the courage and wisdom to obey God’s commands.
Which path will you choose?
25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel 6:26-28 (KJV)