But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the kings delicacies

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the kings delicacies

I've been studying the book of Daniel lately. Admittedly, I think I've spent more time on Facebook, than in my 'Faithbook'- how sad. I really need and will do something about that. As I wonder why I've been doing this, I think it's really just to escape what I actually have to do. The enemy is sneaky- if you can be distracted from what you've been called to do, i.e. your purpose, he will do it in such a way, that at first you won't notice it. It seems all innocent, harmless even. And them BAM- you're hooked, like a drug addict who knows it's not good for you, but you just can't seem to take yourself away from it.

Okay- so I've enjoyed checking my updates, even posting funnies up there and seeing if anyone agrees. I guess it's that feeling of someone else 'liking' what you have to say- even if it is meaningless, and yes- alot of what is on facebook is meaningless. Thinking about this, makes me realise that my whole family are using technology way too much to communicate. Hmmm...when I think back to my adolescent years, we probably didn't spend that much time communicating with our parents, apart from the odd grunt here and there, and the conversations around needing money or stuff for school or our social life, etc. We were out with our friends, hanging out with our peers. I guess this facebook/ social networking via this different form of media is a development of the kinds of childhoods that our kids experienced, where no longer did they have the kind of freedom we had to just roam the neighbourhood and be gone for ages, while our parents trusted that we'd be okay. Times changed, circumstances changed and therefore the way we interacted and communicated I guess evolved. I suppose this form of media is one of their ways to keep their communication and 'relationships' going in this day and age. I guess too as a parent, I'm kind of able to keep up with some of what they are engaging in via this medium- just not stalking [had to put that in there in case one of them reads this and is on to me LOL]. 

So- what does this have to do with the study of Daniel? I'm working this out as I write this, so I'm trusting that this is Holy Spirit inspired. The thing God is showing me about Daniel was the kind of servant he was. He was an administrator- something similar to what I do. I'm a school administrator [that's a probably more of an American term used for head teachers/ principals]. God's been showing me the character of Daniel and how he was just so faithful to what God had called him to do and be. Daniel was selected as one of several to be trained up fit for service/ administration to the king of that time. Those selected were the best of the best- bright, handsome, fit and able and talented. So he was Dan the man, so to speak. The scripture that stuck out for me was in Chapter 1, where it says "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself of the kings delicacies". Daniel amongst the others called up for training, were given 'the royal treatment'- finest foods and wines, but Daniel didn't want any of this. Daniel probably knew that such trappings that come with being priveleged can actually distract you from what you've been called to do, and Daniel knew that he had been called to serve God first and foremost. In the book of Daniel two great examples, amongst many demonstrate that key message, i.e. when Daniels friends were put in the fiery furnance because they chose not to bow to the king of the day, only to the one true God Himself; and also when Daniel was cast into the Lion's den for acknowledging his God, and not bending down to the ruler of the day. Leading up to all of this, God blessed Daniel and his friends for their obedience, their faithfulness and their belief in Him- by guiding them through their times of disciplining themselves- being careful not to fall into the trap of partaking of the delicacies of the king-but only eating fruit, vegetables and water for 10 days and then being tested to see if the way they had followed [His way], was higher or better than the way dictated for them by the king. They were proven then to be trusted by both man and God, and then God took them to a new and higher level of faith by allowing them to go through those far-out trials. In both the fire and the lions den- God was with them. He was their protector, their provider, their deliverer. Through them, they proved to 'man' that their God was God. Sovereign. Miraculous. God.

So one [of the many] lessons for me... what are the delicacies that I might be partaking of, that will defile me? What are the trappings of a 'priveleged life' that will distract me or affect me and therefore stop me from achieving what God has purposed me to do for Him, for the kingdom?

I can think of a few:

Food- I'm eating way too much for what I need, and I'm getting too fat for my liking, let alone my health.

Technology- I know it's supposed to save time, but I'm allowing this to 'waste my time' by surfing the net when a question comes to mind, even if it's got nothing to do with what I was thinking about at the time, or just watching TV just because it's on.

Stuff- I've got way too much stuff, and I can't look after it as well as I should, which tells me that I probably don't need it, and stop accumulating more stuff to take care of.

Freedom to choose what I like to do in my work- I'm blessed with the role I have and sometimes it can be easy to spend more time on the things I enjoy doing, and at times neglecting the areas that I probably should spend more time in. This includes being able to delegate tasks, and making sure that I give the right support and encouragement to those carrying out that work. 

I'm sure more will come to mind- I just need to mull this over, ask the Holy Spirit to keep working on my heart and in my life so that some of these things can die in me, and more of Him and live in me. Amen!

Lord help me in these areas, and especially in spending more time with you. That you are at the centre of my life, and that from You, all things spring forth as they should. 

Do you know Daniel, was shown gradually as he was 'tested' time and time again, future prophecies that God asked him to store up in his heart and to document for the future? Daniel carried that privilege/ burden of knowing what- but not when. Daniel proved himself to be someone who God trusted, and who man trusted in. It was through his faithfulness, his integrity- that others knew the God of Daniel- always coming through for him, always with a word and truth that would bring life, for Daniel and for the people. 

Daniel's example was like that of Jesus himself. He loved God and his people. He wanted what God wanted. There were times of trial, but God knew, Daniels heart. Daniel, like Jesus- was just a man. Flesh. But he gave his life as a living sacrifice, in order that God's will be done. 

God help me to spend more time in your word. To do what you have called me to do. To recognise distractions and to know that in You, I can stand against the works of the enemy.

The works of the enemy can never stand against the Word of our God. Amen.