Nougat 12

Have you ever asked someone to put you to the test on God’s behalf? As in, not for your own sake, but to follow God’s will? That’s what our young heroes did. It truly is what those 10 days were about. Let’s read and reflect on this with Today’s Holy Nougat

Daniel 1:12-15 ASV

[12] Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

[13] Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the youths that eat of the king’s dainties; and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

[14] So he hearkened unto them in this matter, and proved them ten days.

[15] And at the end of ten days, their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh, than all the youths that did eat of the king’s dainties.

Stand Your Ground

In combat, to stand one’s ground means one does not yield even the hint of an advantage to the enemy. That is what our young Hebrews did. They had a window of opportunity. If they could convince the chief eunuch that their choice was safe, they could maintain the lifestyle YHWH had set before them.

Despite his misgivings, they negotiated for the 10-day test. I can only imagine their approach. Daily prayer, personal check-ins with each other, and loads of encouragement. It might have been different, but I suspect that their menu was visible to others. As youth, were they bullied or teased for their choices? We’re not told, but it is likely. The temptation may have been overwhelming, at least at the onset. Yet, they denied themselves and stood their ground.

Ten days later proved invaluable. Their faith was rewarded. In fact, their countenances appeared fairer, and they were fatter in flesh than all the [other] youths in the King’s service. Using the sentiment of Ephesians 6, having done all, they stood victorious. That’s the lesson of Hebrews 11:1. It reminds us that faith is substance and evidence of the unproven and hoped for. Yes, that’s the kind of faith that affords us the strength to stand our ground.

Now, I’d add a slight caveat. These young men were very clear that this was in service to God. It wasn’t just a fad diet. Our decision to stand our ground is most likely to yield positive outcomes when rooted in Christ.

Have we done our reconnaissance, discerning the status quo, using that to frame our strategy?

What is the time frame we’ve sought/been assigned by God for the test of our faith?

What did we hear from God as we pray/ed?

Who do we have on our team?

Are we encouraging each other and doing check-ins?

Answering these questions helps to keep us focused, especially when the enemy sends curveballs our way. Like our young heroes, we don’t have to sit with what’s imposed on us if it contradicts our faith. Prayerfully, we can stand our ground. In order to stand (our ground), we must ‘put on the whole armour of God’. We can read more about that in Ephesians 6 (consider it homework).

May God’s grace be evident as we stand.

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May all we seek be found in Christ