Scripture Reading : Daniel 1
Theme : God’s Mercy on Daniel
Daniel was exiled to Babylon in 605 b.c., He was one of several young men chosen to serve in Nebuchadnezzar’s government. When Persia conquered Babylon in 539, Daniel was again given a position of power. He obeyed God’s command to serve his gentile masters (Jer. 29:7). He repeatedly prophesized about the Messiah’s future judgment and deliverance. He also prophesied about world empires. The book emphasizes that God is completely sovereign over human history and rulers.
Grace in Judgment (1-7). God punished the rebellious nation of Israel through Babylon. But He graciously protects individuals who love Him. In this case, God protects Daniel and his friends. By God’s providence, He gifted them with intelligence and the opportunity to serve the king of Babylon.
Obedience under Grace (8-21) Under the Mosaic Law, Jews are restricted to a certain diet in order to make them different from pagans in order to protect them from being absorbed into pagan idolatry. Daniel understands God’s grace to him and he desires to respond to God’s grace by obeying God’s dietary laws. He intentionally and thoughtfully devises a plan to avoid sinning against God and at the same time accomplishes what the government desired. God miraculously blessed him and his friends for their resolve to obey Him, by giving them wisdom and healthy bodies even though they had a vegetarian diet.
Praying the Scripture
- Sometimes it is very difficult to obey God and earthly authorities because they conflict with each other. But God will bless you if you are resolved to obey Him. When you do the right thing you may be fired, sometimes you may be promoted, but either way, you are blessed if you obey God and do what is right before His eyes. Be resolved to obey God and pray that God will give you wisdom to obey also earthly authorities. Prepare your life for adverse results, but anticipate God’s great spiritual blessings in many different forms, of which Christ-likeness is the greatest blessing and honour, far better than money (Prov. 22:1).
- Under the New Testament, Christians are not limited to a certain diet (Acts 10:15). But we are still called to use our Christian freedom wisely and for the honour of Christ and the good of others (Rom. 14:21). Whether we eat or drink, do all for the honour of His name (1 Cor. 10:31), who loves us and gave His son Jesus for our sins. If we have such mindset, then we are like Daniel who worships God through his diet. Highest praise to God!
经文：但以理书1
主题：神对但以理的怜悯
但以理在公元前605年放流至巴比伦。他是其中被选上要侍奉尼布甲尼撒政府的少年人。波斯在公元前539年占领巴比伦后，但以理仍被封作高官。他听从神的命令要侍奉他的外邦主人（耶29:7）。他一再地预言了弥赛亚将来的审判和拯救，对世界王朝也作预言。这本书强调了神对人类历史和君王的绝对主宰。
审判中的恩典（1-7）。神着借巴比伦审判悖逆的以色列国，但仍以恩典保护爱祂的人。这里，我们看到神对但以理与他朋友的保护，即供应他们才智和机会侍奉巴比伦王。
恩典中的顺服（8-21）。在摩西律法下，犹太人要守与外邦人有别的饮食习惯；神的这番苦心是要保护犹太人被外邦偶像引走。但以理明白神赐予祂对恩典，并渴望以服从神对饮食的要求回应此恩。他刻意并细心地设想了一个计划，叫自己在不犯罪的同时达到政府的要求。神因但以理与他朋友决意顺服的心赐下了奇迹般的祝福，给予他们智慧和健康，即便他们吃的只是素菜。
用经文祷告
- 有的时候，人很难同时顺服神与地上的权柄，因为它们是对立的。可是，你若决意顺服神，祂会祝福你。当你在职场上行正公义时，你可能升职，也可能被开除，但无论如何，你若行的的神看为正确的事，你会蒙福。当决意顺服神，并祈求神能赐予你智慧听从在世的权柄。当为不良的结局做准备，但同时期待神以不同的方式降下大福；其中便是信徒更有耶稣基督的样式，而那是胜过大财，强如金银的（箴22:1）。
- 基督徒在新约的律法下没有饮食的限制（使10:15）。然而，我们仍被召要以智慧使用基督里的自由，凡事为基督的荣耀和他人的益处而行（罗14:21）。所以，或吃或喝，无论做什么，都要为荣耀神而行（林前10:31），因为祂爱我们，并为我们的罪舍了自己的儿子。我们若有这样的心态，我们便像借着饮食敬拜神的但以理一样。愿至高的赞美归于神！
