Stand – 1 Up For God

We have a choice. We can either Stand Up for God and stand out or we can blend in with the world. As followers of Christ we are called to take a stand.

“Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.” The king assigned them a daily ration of food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for three years, and then they would enter the royal service.   Daniel 1:4-5

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes… Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.   Ephesians 6:11; 13

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah.  The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names: Daniel was called Belteshazzar. Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego.   Daniel 1:6-7

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.   Daniel 1:8

“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.” At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.  Daniel 1:12-13;15

The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah…   Daniel 1:19