1 00:00:00,800 --> 00:00:04,920 Speaker 1: Let us pray. But Daniel purposed in his heart that 2 00:00:05,000 --> 00:00:07,280 Speaker 1: he would not defile himself with a portion of the 3 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:11,960 Speaker 1: king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank. Therefore, 4 00:00:12,039 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: he requested the Prince of the eunuchs that he might 5 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: not defile himself. Daniel one, ate Lord, because my purpose 6 00:00:21,280 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: means more to me than my comfort, I will be 7 00:00:24,480 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: mindful to treat my body in a way that will 8 00:00:27,440 --> 00:00:29,880 Speaker 1: allow me to carry out my mission while here on 9 00:00:29,960 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: earth to day. Like Daniel and the young men, I 10 00:00:35,760 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: am making a conscious decision to honor my body by 11 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:43,080 Speaker 1: not defiling it with food or substances that would stop 12 00:00:43,159 --> 00:00:46,280 Speaker 1: me from experiencing the fullness of all you have in 13 00:00:46,320 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 1: store for me. I thank you, Lord for the will 14 00:00:51,240 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: and the fortitude to stand strong when I am tempted 15 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:58,720 Speaker 1: to choose the comfort of laziness and poor health habits. 16 00:01:00,120 --> 00:01:04,880 Speaker 1: I declare that health is a top priority. I declare 17 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:08,280 Speaker 1: that through my decision to live a healthy lifestyle, my 18 00:01:08,440 --> 00:01:12,120 Speaker 1: mind will be sharper and more creative than ever before. 19 00:01:14,240 --> 00:01:17,720 Speaker 1: I praise you and thank you in advance for uncommon 20 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:22,160 Speaker 1: outcomes and alliances that are working on my behalf to 21 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,840 Speaker 1: help realize the dreams and destiny You've placed on and 22 00:01:25,920 --> 00:01:30,520 Speaker 1: in me. No matter what, I will not be ashamed 23 00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: of my acceleration because I've made the decision to honor 24 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,399 Speaker 1: my body, which is the vehicle needed to take me 25 00:01:37,959 --> 00:01:45,800 Speaker 1: to my future in Jesus name, Amen, Thank you for 26 00:01:45,920 --> 00:01:49,520 Speaker 1: praying with us today. Continue your time with God by 27 00:01:49,560 --> 00:01:53,400 Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible story, brought to you by Bible 28 00:01:53,440 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 1: in a year dot com. 29 00:01:55,680 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 2: Christ Compassion Community. These three characteristics connect all believers. Here 30 00:02:02,680 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 2: at Christian Healthcare Ministries, we prioritize our shared faith based 31 00:02:07,160 --> 00:02:11,800 Speaker 2: values by offering programs for every Christian. Why because that 32 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 2: every Christian is you. From flexibility and picking providers to 33 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,440 Speaker 2: the ability to personalize your care with affordable options, you'll 34 00:02:20,480 --> 00:02:24,880 Speaker 2: see Biblical unity in action as our members make a difference. 35 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 2: Learn more by visiting Chministries dot org slash Pray. 36 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:46,519 Speaker 3: Daniel and the Kingsmen. In our last story, we were 37 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:49,040 Speaker 3: taken up in the spirit of the Lord with Ezekiel 38 00:02:49,160 --> 00:02:52,880 Speaker 3: as he scanned a vast valley of dry bones. As 39 00:02:52,919 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 3: the spirit of God rushed into the valley, the bones 40 00:02:56,000 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 3: came to life and were restored. This was an image 41 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:03,520 Speaker 3: of God's plan to restore Israel. And pour out his spirit. 42 00:03:04,320 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 3: Now we look into the life of Daniel. He, along 43 00:03:07,520 --> 00:03:11,080 Speaker 3: with the rest of God's people, was taken captive by Babylon. 44 00:03:11,800 --> 00:03:14,880 Speaker 3: Daniel is brought into the fold of King Nebekonezer to 45 00:03:15,040 --> 00:03:20,239 Speaker 3: study and serve. Slowly, Daniel begins to influence the wicked 46 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:24,359 Speaker 3: king and his men inspired by the Book of Daniel. 47 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:29,920 Speaker 4: This is Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible 48 00:03:30,000 --> 00:03:32,400 Speaker 4: in a year. I'm so glad that you've joined us 49 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:36,119 Speaker 4: once again. In our previous reading, we heard how God 50 00:03:36,200 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 4: spoke to Ezekiel, taking him up in the spirit and 51 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 4: giving him a vision of dry bones that were brought 52 00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,480 Speaker 4: back to life by the power of God's word and 53 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 4: his spirit. It was a message to Israel that God 54 00:03:48,040 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 4: would restore them to life and make one nation of 55 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:54,600 Speaker 4: the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And ultimately it 56 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:57,520 Speaker 4: is a promise, a greater promise of one who would come, 57 00:03:57,600 --> 00:04:01,240 Speaker 4: the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who would not just give life 58 00:04:01,320 --> 00:04:05,400 Speaker 4: to Israel, but offer life to the whole world. Today 59 00:04:05,480 --> 00:04:08,760 Speaker 4: we'll hear reading about a young exile named Daniel. He, 60 00:04:08,840 --> 00:04:12,080 Speaker 4: along with a few of his faithful Israelite captives, is 61 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 4: chosen to serve the Babylonian king. God is placing this 62 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,719 Speaker 4: young man, a godly follower of the Lord, into a 63 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,680 Speaker 4: place where he can influence evil men for the glory 64 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:25,760 Speaker 4: of God. So let's hear God's word today. 65 00:04:27,279 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 3: The kingdoms of Israel and Judah fell to the mighty 66 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:34,080 Speaker 3: hand of King Nebuconezza. Hooks were sewn into their lips 67 00:04:34,400 --> 00:04:37,200 Speaker 3: and they were carted off to their captivity in Babylon 68 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:41,360 Speaker 3: along with the people. King Nebuconeza took the vessels in 69 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 3: the temple and placed them in his own treasury with 70 00:04:44,400 --> 00:04:48,919 Speaker 3: his gods. King Neberconezza was determined to graft Israel into 71 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 3: Babylonian culture. He would do so first by taking their temple. 72 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 3: Then he would take the best of them, the brightest 73 00:04:56,320 --> 00:05:02,400 Speaker 3: and most educated, to serve him. Vo Canezzer gathered young men, strong, 74 00:05:02,560 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 3: good looking, skilled and wise. He gave them access to 75 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:10,359 Speaker 3: his libraries and the finest tutors Babylon could provide. He 76 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:14,920 Speaker 3: taught them foreign languages and exposed them to different cultures, music, 77 00:05:14,960 --> 00:05:18,960 Speaker 3: and art. It was Nebercanezzer's intention to indoctrinate these young 78 00:05:19,040 --> 00:05:22,359 Speaker 3: men to become leaders over the captives and loyalty to Babylon. 79 00:05:23,240 --> 00:05:26,040 Speaker 3: The king provided a daily portion of food and wine 80 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,159 Speaker 3: for them. It was his desire to educate them for 81 00:05:29,240 --> 00:05:32,360 Speaker 3: three years, and at the end of their time, they 82 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,320 Speaker 3: would stand in front of the king. Among these young 83 00:05:35,440 --> 00:05:40,680 Speaker 3: men were Daniel, Hannanaiah, Michel, and Azariah from the tribe 84 00:05:40,720 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 3: of Judah. Their names were taken from them, and Neberkanezzer 85 00:05:44,680 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 3: called them Belta, Shazar, Shadrach, Meshak, and Abdnago. Although Neberkanezer 86 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:55,880 Speaker 3: took their names, he could not take their true identities. 87 00:05:56,560 --> 00:05:59,200 Speaker 3: Daniel watched closely as the king and some of the 88 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:02,480 Speaker 3: young men yasted on the king's food. It was not 89 00:06:02,560 --> 00:06:06,960 Speaker 3: only sacrificed to idols, but it was dirty. The grease 90 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:10,479 Speaker 3: dripped from the Babylonian's chin. He saw many of the 91 00:06:10,520 --> 00:06:15,479 Speaker 3: Babylonian nobles. They were overweight and bloated. Daniel purposed in 92 00:06:15,520 --> 00:06:18,840 Speaker 3: his heart to not defile himself. He would not eat 93 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:22,839 Speaker 3: the king's food. The chief's servant was concerned for Daniel 94 00:06:23,160 --> 00:06:25,520 Speaker 3: and thought that his health and favor would decline if 95 00:06:25,520 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 3: he did not eat. But Daniel had a challenge for 96 00:06:28,400 --> 00:06:32,359 Speaker 3: him and the king test your servants and I. Daniel 97 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,560 Speaker 3: challenged for ten days, my friends and I will consume 98 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:38,440 Speaker 3: nothing but vegetables and water. At the end of those 99 00:06:38,480 --> 00:06:41,839 Speaker 3: ten days, measure who was in better health. So for 100 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,559 Speaker 3: ten days Daniel and his companions ate vegetables and drank water, 101 00:06:45,920 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: while the other young men ate the food sacrificed to idols. 102 00:06:49,800 --> 00:06:52,480 Speaker 3: When the ten days passed, Daniel and his friends were 103 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,320 Speaker 3: far more healthy and clear in mind than the others, 104 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,279 Speaker 3: So the chief's servant ordered for all the men in 105 00:06:58,320 --> 00:07:02,640 Speaker 3: the palace to be given vegetables and water. This was 106 00:07:02,680 --> 00:07:05,200 Speaker 3: but one example of how Daniel and his friends began 107 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:10,040 Speaker 3: to transform the Babylonian culture. They increased in knowledge, wisdom, 108 00:07:10,120 --> 00:07:13,640 Speaker 3: and favor with God. They had visions and dreams, and 109 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,440 Speaker 3: began to transform the hearts of those around them. Nebucan 110 00:07:17,560 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 3: Zer brought them into his presence as counselors and wise men. 111 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:24,800 Speaker 3: In every matter, he found them ten times more insightful 112 00:07:24,840 --> 00:07:28,960 Speaker 3: than the Babylonian scholars, magicians, and enchanters. 113 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,000 Speaker 4: In today's reading, we're reminded of the brutality of the 114 00:07:35,000 --> 00:07:39,520 Speaker 4: Babylonians when they conquered Israel and Judah. They didn't just 115 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:43,240 Speaker 4: take captives away in chains. Many of the captives were 116 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 4: tortured with hooks sewn into their lips, and as an 117 00:07:46,240 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 4: act of humiliation, this was meant to crush the spirit 118 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,920 Speaker 4: of their vanquished foes. They also carted off precious items 119 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 4: from the temple, signaling that their gods were superior to 120 00:07:56,880 --> 00:08:00,400 Speaker 4: those of their enemies. They did not know or fear 121 00:08:00,800 --> 00:08:04,360 Speaker 4: the One True God, but among the captives there were 122 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:06,920 Speaker 4: some young men who would begin to change that and 123 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:11,520 Speaker 4: challenge that, showing Nebukanezar and his court who Yahweh is. 124 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,880 Speaker 4: Though they were cruel and ruthless, the Babylonians were wise 125 00:08:17,000 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 4: in how they handled the people they conquered. Understanding that 126 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 4: the best and the brightest in Israel could prove to 127 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 4: be a benefit to Babylon, they selected the cream of 128 00:08:26,280 --> 00:08:29,679 Speaker 4: the crop and worked to assimilate them into Babylonian culture. 129 00:08:31,080 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 4: Among those chosen were Daniel and three of his friends. 130 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 4: Rather than suffer as slaves, Nebukanezar gave these best and 131 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 4: brightest access to the riches of his kingdom, both in 132 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:45,520 Speaker 4: terms of education and training and in comfort and the 133 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:49,439 Speaker 4: finer foods and drinks the land had to offer. They 134 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 4: were given new Babylonian names to replace their Jewish ones. 135 00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:56,680 Speaker 4: This was meant to wipe away any former identity, to 136 00:08:56,720 --> 00:08:59,920 Speaker 4: make their Jewishness disappear as they were seduced by the 137 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 4: pagan culture. The Bible tells us in the New Testament Romans, 138 00:09:04,760 --> 00:09:08,160 Speaker 4: Chapter twelve that we are not to conform to this 139 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:13,800 Speaker 4: world and the patterns and the activities of this world. Unfortunately, 140 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:17,920 Speaker 4: too many Christians often take the path of least resistance. 141 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:20,280 Speaker 4: We don't stand up to the culture that is trying 142 00:09:20,320 --> 00:09:24,200 Speaker 4: to conform us. We want to blend into the world, 143 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:27,720 Speaker 4: enjoy the world and what it has to offer. But 144 00:09:28,400 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 4: we are called to be better than this. We, like 145 00:09:31,760 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 4: Daniel and his companions, are called to stand apart, even 146 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,160 Speaker 4: if we have to stand alone. But as Daniel and 147 00:09:39,200 --> 00:09:43,200 Speaker 4: his friends watched others accept the rich foods, including unclean meat, 148 00:09:43,320 --> 00:09:48,600 Speaker 4: sacrifice to idols, he resolved not to be defiled. Daniel 149 00:09:48,720 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 4: chose to honor God and refuse what Nebekanezer offered him. 150 00:09:53,679 --> 00:09:57,080 Speaker 4: This wasn't just an act of self denial. It was 151 00:09:57,240 --> 00:10:01,000 Speaker 4: a dangerous refusal to abide by the the king's command. 152 00:10:02,920 --> 00:10:05,240 Speaker 4: This act could have easily been viewed as rebellion and 153 00:10:05,320 --> 00:10:09,920 Speaker 4: rejection and cost Daniel and his friends their lives. But God, 154 00:10:10,040 --> 00:10:13,000 Speaker 4: as always is in control, and he has a purpose 155 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:16,400 Speaker 4: and a plan in all of this. Daniel offered the 156 00:10:16,480 --> 00:10:19,560 Speaker 4: chief of servants a challenge. He and his friends would 157 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,199 Speaker 4: eat only vegetables and drink water, abstaining from the meat 158 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 4: and rich food and wine, for just ten days. If 159 00:10:26,800 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 4: at the end of that time they were weaker, slower, 160 00:10:29,480 --> 00:10:32,439 Speaker 4: less mentally sharp than the others, they would follow the 161 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:37,440 Speaker 4: king's diet. God honored the faithfulness of Daniel, and we 162 00:10:37,520 --> 00:10:40,600 Speaker 4: read this in the first chapter of Daniel, verse seventeen. 163 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:46,040 Speaker 4: To these four young men, God gave knowledge and understanding 164 00:10:46,080 --> 00:10:49,400 Speaker 4: of all kinds of literature and learning, and Daniel could 165 00:10:49,480 --> 00:10:54,080 Speaker 4: understand visions and dreams of all kinds. After ten days, 166 00:10:54,320 --> 00:10:57,280 Speaker 4: it was apparent that Daniel and his friends were stronger 167 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:01,280 Speaker 4: and brighter than the others. God had big plans for 168 00:11:01,360 --> 00:11:04,400 Speaker 4: these young men, and it all began with a simple 169 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:09,280 Speaker 4: yet courageous, confident step of faith. When we choose to 170 00:11:09,320 --> 00:11:12,960 Speaker 4: live differently, to dare to be a Daniel, our witness 171 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 4: is powerful and persuasive. It often opens doors for God's 172 00:11:17,960 --> 00:11:20,920 Speaker 4: glory to be shown to the world, and often gives 173 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:25,520 Speaker 4: us opportunities to influence those around us. When we stand 174 00:11:25,640 --> 00:11:29,400 Speaker 4: up and stand apart. We make a difference. We are 175 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:31,640 Speaker 4: not to be like the world, but we're to be 176 00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:35,400 Speaker 4: different from the world. And so with this act of 177 00:11:35,440 --> 00:11:38,680 Speaker 4: faithful defiance to the precious of culture, Daniel and his 178 00:11:38,760 --> 00:11:41,600 Speaker 4: friends were given access to an inner circle where God 179 00:11:41,640 --> 00:11:44,560 Speaker 4: could work through them to reach the hard heart of 180 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:50,560 Speaker 4: even King nevikan Ezer and many others. Dear God, we 181 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:53,040 Speaker 4: are thankful for the courage of Daniel and the young 182 00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:55,960 Speaker 4: men who stood with him. Thank You for the inspiration 183 00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:58,560 Speaker 4: of their lives, that they purposed in their hearts not 184 00:11:58,679 --> 00:12:04,360 Speaker 4: to defile themselves. May we also live devout lives, lives 185 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:06,520 Speaker 4: that are given over to You and not to the world. 186 00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:10,240 Speaker 4: May our focus and our faithfulness be strong and true 187 00:12:10,559 --> 00:12:15,199 Speaker 4: against all odds. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for 188 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 4: listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. We are 189 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 4: so glad that you have joined us. I'm Pastor Jack 190 00:12:20,880 --> 00:12:24,360 Speaker 4: Graham from Dallas, Texas. You can download the Prey dot 191 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,440 Speaker 4: com app and join millions of people who are listening 192 00:12:27,520 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 4: daily to the Bible in a Year. I want to 193 00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:33,880 Speaker 4: encourage you to make prayer and Bible study a priority 194 00:12:34,040 --> 00:12:36,480 Speaker 4: in your life that you would seek first, the Kingdom 195 00:12:36,520 --> 00:12:40,920 Speaker 4: of God and his righteousness. If you enjoy this broadcast, 196 00:12:41,160 --> 00:12:43,800 Speaker 4: let me encourage you to share it with others, people 197 00:12:43,840 --> 00:12:46,199 Speaker 4: that you love, people that you know, people in your church, 198 00:12:46,559 --> 00:12:49,440 Speaker 4: because we believe the Word of God makes an eternal 199 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:53,840 Speaker 4: difference in people's lives. If you want more resources as 200 00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:56,640 Speaker 4: to how you can live the Christian life, be sure 201 00:12:56,679 --> 00:13:00,640 Speaker 4: to visit Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org. 202 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:01,760 Speaker 4: God bless you.