Here's a story of a young man who found himself in a critical situation where making the wrong decision could have resulted in the loss of his own life as well as those of his friends and caretaker.
From Series: Life Lessons Learned from the Bible - Daniel 1:8-16
The wisdom of Daniel
Have you ever been in situation that threaten to compromise your values or challenged your principles, then you can empathize with Daniel. Let's read his story to see how he handled his predicament.
Daniel 1:8–16 NLT
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. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. 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.”
Daniel spoke with the attendant appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
Here is a situation where Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, did not want to eat the king's food because they were taught to keep away from foods sacrificed to idols. However, not following the king's orders put the three young men’s caretaker's life and possibly their life in jeopardy. But the wisdom that Daniel had enabled him to come up with a solution that solved the problem without offending the king, risking the chief of staff's life, or causing Daniel and his friends to sin (Acts 15:29, Revelations 2:20, 1 Corinthians 8:4).
Life's crosswords
This was a crossroads for everybody involved. The young men did not want to sin. The caretaker didn’t want to die, and not doing what the king wants can lead to death. How does one come up with a satisfactory solution in a predicament like this?
Let's consider the situation from every perspective.
By refusing to eat the food, Daniels is endangering the guard's life, and consuming the food will lead him to sin against God. According to Mathew 10:28 AMP it is advised, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Thus, following the king's orders is not an acceptable resolution.
Even though the chief of staff held Daniel in high regard, he was unwilling to jeopardize his own life, so he had to make Daniel and his companions comply with the king's wishes. So, listening to Daniel is not an acceptable resolution.
When it comes to the king, disobeying his oath or commands can damage his reputation, portraying him as weak and untrustworthy (Mathew 14:9, Daniel 6:16). During that era, most kings were uncompromising and expected strict adherence to their decrees. Consequently, the king failing to uphold his promise is not an acceptable resolution.
Daniel's only option was to seek wisdom from God, a superior form of wisdom that can help us navigate challenging situations in a way that satisfies everyone involved.
Here's what God advised Daniel
Daniel requested a 10-day challenge from the guard, during which he and his friends would consume only vegetables and water. After the time period, their health would be compared to that of other young men who ate the king's food. The guard accepted the challenge and monitored them for 10 days (Daniel 1:11-14).
After completing the 10-day challenge, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier and better nourished compared to the young men who consumed the king's food (Daniel 1:15). As a result, the guard removed the royal food and wine they were supposed to have and substituted them with vegetables (Daniel 1:16). God's wisdom effectively resolved the issue!
Daniel's success story continued as the wisdom of God elevated him to the third highest position in the kingdom. This was demonstrated when he successfully interpreted a mysterious writing on the wall, a task that the other highly educated and wise men of the kingdom - magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and Chaldeans - could not accomplish (Daniel 5:29; Leviticus 19:31; Acts 19:19; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelations 21:8; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
The power of wisdom
Wisdom is the ability to discern and use insight to make the right choice. It helps you deal with any situation that you may experience in the best way possible and allows you to know what to do in those impossible situations.
With the wisdom that comes from God, you will have a way out of any circumstance (Psalm 34:19). In Luke 21:15 NLT it says, "for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!" Furthermore, Proverbs 4:6 NIV advises, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you." Lastly, Ecclesiastes 7:12 NIV states, "Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it."
There is power in wisdom especially when it comes from someone who is omniscient.
God has perfect knowledge of everything. He knows what's in our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 21:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Acts 15:8; Psalm 44:21; Romans 8:27; Psalm 51:10).
He can change our heart to be a certain way at His will (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Exodus 9:12, 10:20, 14:4; Proverbs 21:1; Philippians 2:13).
He knows our thoughts, even before we know them (Psalm 139:2).
He knows the future and He is in control (Daniel 4:17).
God's divine wisdom is the best wisdom because any other form of wisdom is foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19).
Wisdom for everyday responsibilities
How do we get God's wisdom? James 1:5 ESV says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
The Bible says we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2). If we ask God for wisdom, based on Scripture, God will give it to us generously.
When we need help or is looking for answers, we need someone who understands us and our situation (Hebrews 4:13). A person who is highly intelligent, full of wisdom, and knows everything (Proverbs 2:8-11; 1John 3:20; Psalm 147:5).
Someone who can see our problems from a unique perspective, and a superior vantage point (Isaiah 55:9). Who knows and understands our needs and is able to take care of them (2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:24; Matthew 6:33). God is the only one with these qualifications and abilities.
James 3:17 says, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere."
The next time you encounter a challenge that is beyond your ability to solve, find wisdom in Christ. In Him is where all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge is stored (Colossians 2:3).
Read more about God's wisdom here: The Power of Wisdom
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will come to live inside you. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, and He will live in your heart where you and Him become one and have a relationship.
All you have to do is make the choice of salvation by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus into your life by confessing that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He came from Heaven to die for your sins (Romans 10:9).
Here's a prayer you can repeat:
"Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe you died and was risen for my sins. I repent and ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and remove my sins. Thank you for forgiving me and making me into a new person in Jesus' name, Amen."
Once you have done this, please pray and ask God to guide you to a ministry where you can grow and start living the abundant life Jesus promised and died for.
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