In Daniel chapter 1, we read about four young men who served the Lord and their generation by refusing to compromise. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were captured by the Babylonians and taken back to Babylon to serve King Nebuchadnezzar. When they arrived in Babylon, the Babylonians tried their best to assimilate the Hebrews into the Babylonian culture. When they arrived in Babylon, they possessed Hebrew names. Their names were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Their Hebrew names had religious significance, since each name spoke about the God they served. For instance: Daniel means,
“God is my judge.” His name was changed to “Belteshazzar,” which means, “lord of the straitened’s treasure.” Hananiah means, “God has favoured.” His name was changed to “Shadrach,” which means, “the great scribe.” Mishael means, “who is what God is?” His name was changed to Meshach, which means, “guest of a king.” Azariah means, “Jehovah has helped.” His name was changed to Abednego, which means, “servant of Nego.” Nego, or Nebo, was the Babylonian god of wisdom. The Babylonians could change their homes, their diet, their names, and even their education, but they could not change their hearts (see Daniel 1:1-8). These young men had decided that they were going to serve the Lord, whatever the cost. It would have been easy to say, “Well, it’s all right, everyone else is doing it,” or “We had better do what the king says,” or “We’ll obey the king outwardly, but we’ll just keep our faith to ourselves.” These options weren’t good enough for these true servants of God. They were willing to commit themselves to God’s Will despite the consequences. Christians today need this same level of commitment when it comes to serving God. Many of us seem to give in to compromise too easily. We need to dedicate ourselves to God and His Kingdom Work (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our duty is to faithfully serve the Lord with all we have and with all we are (Romans 12:1-2).

In an effort to maintain their holiness before the Lord, they requested that they not be forced to eat the king’s meat (see Daniel 1:8-14). They knew that eating the king’s meat and drinking his wine would defile them, therefore, they requested that they be allowed to have vegetables and water for a ten-day period. Daniel and his friends knew that a vegetarian diet would not defile them. They also seemed to have known that God would honor their faith in Him. It will not always be the easiest thing, nor will it be the most popular thing for us to take our stand with God. It will not always be understood by those around us (1 Peter 4:1-4). However, it will always be the right thing to do. In Daniel 1:8-14, we see that these young men had proposed in their hearts that they were going to serve the Lord and Him only. As you follow their lives as recorded in the Bible, you will see that they allowed nothing to turn them from this purpose. In Daniel chapter 3, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were willing to die rather than to compromise. In chapter 6, Daniel, now in his 80’s, risked death in the lion’s den rather than compromising in his service to God. What about us? Do we have that same level of resolve and commitment to the Lord and His Work? Would we be willing to die before compromising with the enemy? The saddening truth is, “probably not.” We compromise in many ways. In our speech, in our dress, in our lifestyles, in our music, and so on. There are many of us who need to recommit ourselves to serving the Lord. So many of us have let down our guards and have compromised on one or more occasions. It’s high time for us as Christians to purpose in our hearts that come what may, we will not disgrace the name of our Lord, and we will not compromise in any area of our lives!

At the end of the ten-day period, God honored His Word and these young men were fairer and fatter in flesh than the others (see Daniel 1:15-17). Daniel and his friends knew something that many of us seem to forget, and it is this: “If we will do as God says, He will never fail us, not even in the slightest way (Hebrews 6:9-20). He will be absolutely faithful to honor His Word and His servants who trust that Word and do as He says (Numbers 23:19). So, let come what may, you can count on the Lord (Lamentations 3:22-26)! After 3 years, they stood before the king. Notice that after all this time, they still maintained their resolve. When the king interviewed them, he found that they were ten times better than all his wisest counselors (see Daniel 1:18-21). Now, this does not teach that serving God faithfully will make you rich, attractive, or famous, however, it does teach us that God honors those who honor Him (see also 1 Samuel 2:30). Let us seek to serve our God and our generation without compromising, just like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The dedication of these young men can be summed up in two words, Faith and Obedience. They were willing to trust God, and they were willing to serve Him, regardless of the personal cost. What about you?

~Tobias Hatchett