What Does Real Courage Look Like?

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Daniel 1:8-10

8 But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. 9 Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 10 But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”

The Old Testament book of Daniel is written in the 6th century B.C. (500-600 B.C.). Many people think B.C. stands for "Before Christ", and although you could think of it along those terms it actually means "Before Common Era". It is a book of the visions and revelations of the prophet Daniel when he was exiled in Babylon (modern day Iraq). The first six chapter are a series of tales showing how Daniel was set apart by God and his interaction with King Nebuchadnezzar. History verifies that the Jews of the Southern Kingdom, whose capital was Jerusalem, were exiled in 586 b.c. and taken from their homes, including the king. 

Later in the book, Daniel will receive many visions and revelations some of which relate to the end of the world. In the New Testament book of Revelation, we see a correlation of the language used and the similarity of the events that will take place when Jesus returns. Daniel is a fascinating book with lots of twists and turns. It can be confusing to read, which is why it is very important to interpret it in its context. 

In the first chapter, Daniel and other young mean from Judah were brought over to Babylon because of their youth, strength, and good looks. They are given new Babylonian names. The King quickly discerns that these men are different than the others. The king is brutal in his judgment of the other magicians and astrologers when they don't know how to interpret his dreams. But Daniel is given special revelations, as we shall soon see. 

In chapter 1 we see something very important in David's character. Though the men are ordered to eat food and drink wine from the king's table, David knows that food is defiled, as the meat had probably been offered up to pagnn idols. 

The purpose of the food, names, and education was simple. This was an effort at total indoctrination, with the goal of making these young Jewish men leave behind their Hebrew God and culture. Undoubtedly, Nebuchadnezzar wanted to communicate to these young men, “look to me for everything.” Daniel and his friends refused, insisting that they would look to God. - Guzik

David's refusal to eat the food and wine could have been seen as rebellion. The consequences for refusing the King's order often meant execution. But Daniel trusted in God and requested only vegetables and water for he and his fellow Jewish men. Rather than making them look pale and weak, the diet only made them look healthier and stronger. When the king called them in. the men not only looked healthy but God gave them insight when the king asked them various kinds of questions. The text said they answered the king ten times better than the other men. Unfortunately the other guys were killed according to the king's order. You can see just how courageous Daniel was to trust God in the midst of such a vicious and ruthless king.

Daniel's obedience to God in this midst of these circumstances convicts us, as we might cave in to far less dangerous situations. How can you be a more courageous Christian, like Daniel, when the world is calling you to submit to its systems? As you submit to God alone, God will use you in powerful ways to shape what is happening in our world, which is under his sovereign rule. Though there are no "King Nebuchadnezzar's" per se in our time, there are plenty of world leaders who are not led by God and rule with power and self-interest. There are also leaders who are as violent though, just in different ways.

God we pray that we would have the courage of Daniel, as we stand up for you in an increasingly pagan culture!