I am using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I have found that by writing this daily blog of what I see when I read these scriptures, I get more out of them. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Today I begin reading the book of Daniel. The book starts with the story of how Daniel and his three friends ended up in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. As young men they were brought into exile in Babylon and chosen to serve in the court along with other young men in exile. From other sources, I have come to the belief that part of the reason that the young men in this program were chosen was because they were not Chaldeans (the name of the ethnic group that ruled Babylon) and thus were not threats to attempt to usurp the throne. The mental image I always have of these young men is of 18-20 year-olds. However, it is likely that they were actually probably just entering puberty and thus were about 10-12 years old.
     The king directed that they be fed the same type of food which he ate. This food was not kosher, but relative to the story, it was also probably very fatty. Daniel and his three friends (an interesting side note at this point. We know Daniel by his Hebrew name, Daniel, but his three friends by their Babylonian names, Shadrach, Meshach,and Abednego) did not want to eat this food because it was not kosher (and possibly because they did not like the way it looked/tasted. They were after all at an age when children are often particular about what they will eat). Nevertheless it is notable that Daniel was willing to stand up to those who had been put into authority over them and request different food. The chief of staff was hesitant to feed them differently because he believed that the food the king was providing was what would provide for the young men to grow and develop into strong and intelligent men. Daniel shows his wisdom. Rather than throw a tantrum and refuse to eat, he suggests a trial. The chief of staff will feed them only kosher food (and since there was no kosher meats available at that time and place, that meant all vegetables) for ten days. In addition, they would drink only water. Daniel suggested that at the end of ten days the chief of staff could compare what they looked like to the other boys and make his decision based on that. This suggests that Daniel had some understanding of good nutrition. At the end of the ten days, the four boys looked much healthier than their contemporaries. The story then tells us that these four young men demonstrated an unusual aptitude for learning. If we think about it, it makes perfect sense. Their contemporaries were feasting and drinking every day on the food and wine provided by the king, while Daniel and his three friends were eating healthily and drinking water. Even if the four of them did not study more than their contemporaries, they would have been mentally prepared to get more out of their studies because their minds would not have been fogged by alcohol. The difference was so profound that they clearly stood out when they were brought before the king.
     Shortly after the four had “graduated” and entered into service of the king, the king began suffering nightmares. He gathered his court soothsayers. I note two interesting points about this. The first is that the list of those the king called are variations of those who claim magical powers as the basis for their wisdom. The second is that Daniel and his friends were not among those called. The king asked the magicians (I will use this term to separate them from the group of wise men that included both them and those who did not claim magical powers) he had gathered to tell him what his dreams meant, without revealing what those dreams were. The magicians responded that such a thing was impossible, that there was no way for them to know what the king’s dreams were. That only a god would know that and none of them were gods. The king was furious that they could not tell him what his dreams were and ordered that all of his court wise men be executed. The king had correctly concluded that the magicians were primarily a bunch of con artists who used tricks and subterfuge to make it seem as if they had magical powers. The thing he overlooked was that he had at least four advisers who did not claim magical powers. When the commander of the kings guard came to arrest Daniel and his friends they were unaware of what had happened (not having responded to the first summons since they did not claim any magical powers). When they found out what this was all about Daniel went to the king and requested some time to interpret the dream. The king granted him his request. Daniel went home and held a prayer meeting with his three roommates (OK, I am guessing the part about them being roommates and the prayer meeting part is just my interpretation). That night Daniel received a vision answering the king’s question about his dreams. Daniel’s response was to praise God and give all credit for the answer to God. Refusing in any way to take credit for the answer himself, not even to the point of implying that getting the answer was a result of his special relationship with God. Daniel’s prayer of praise contains within it the idea that anyone who was willing to subject themselves to God could have asked and received the answer. Do we have the faith to ask God for these sorts of answers? And as importantly, do we have the humility to acknowledge that when we get these answers it is not because we are somehow special?

     Peter tells us to be of one mind with our fellow believers. We are to love each other with tender hearts and a humble attitude. We should not respond in like fashion to those who treat us badly and/or insult us. Instead we should bless those who mistreat us and talk about the good things we see in them. Peter points out that few will desire to harm us if we are always eager to do good. And even if we are persecuted for doing good, that is better than to be punished for doing wrong. God will reward us for doing good, even if those of the world mock and mistreat us for it. We need to be prepared to explain our faith when people question us as to how we can live our lives as we do (and hopefully we are living our lives in a way that glorifies God). But when we give that explanation, we are to be gentle and respectful (I believe that for many of us–definitely myself included–this is the hardest part). If we follow Peter’s instructions when people speak against us they will be shamed as others compare their slanders with our actual behavior (and perhaps those slandering us will be ashamed of saying such malicious things and come to know the Lord).
     Peter tells us that we should be prepared to suffer for our faith because Christ Himself suffered even though He was sinless. He tells us that when we experience physical suffering for our faith, it will make us even more determined to be faithful to God. As we choose to avoid drunkenness and wild parties, immorality and lust, and other self-destructive behavior, those around us who seek fulfillment in such things will be surprised and slander us. They will call us prudes and killjoys (and worse). Let us remember the joy that comes from serving the Lord.
Restored Deep Creek Riparian Zone[/caption]

     The Lord has indeed done many good things for me. I believe that His commands (even though I often fail to keep them) are the path to happiness and fulfillment. I request that He give me good judgement and knowledge of what He desires me to do. I value God’s commands more than I value any amount of wealth. I was created by God, it makes sense that following His instructions is the path to the greatest happiness and health. I know that the difficult times (and truth be told, they have not really been that difficult) I have experienced are necessary discipline to teach me to follow God’s commands more closely. Let me form more close friendships with those who are striving to serve God, so that they may strengthen me and I them. Let me follow God’s commands in all that I do, so that I never need be ashamed.

     Those who fear to do wrong will be blessed, but those who stubbornly refuse to accept admonishment will soon find more trouble than they bargained for.