But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel 1:8.
The first chapter of Daniel teaches the lesson that what we eat and drink has an influence upon the powers of the mind, and that if we would have healthful bodies and clear minds, we must be careful of our diet. If we are careless in this matter and eat simply to gratify taste, the digestive organs are impaired and the brain is confused, and neither can act their part as fully as God intended they should…. Daniel and his companions determined to banish from their diet everything that would defile, and a power from above worked in harmony with their efforts. As a result they had the privilege of following their own course in the obtaining of their education. And the education they gained was better than that gained by any of the magicians, astrologers, or wise men in all the king’s realm. Those who desire to come into right relation to God need to study Daniel’s plan. That was a sum proved. You may take the sum and prove it also. There are many who think that those who adopt health reform suffer a loss of physical strength, but if these would test the matter for themselves, they would change their minds on this point…. Daniel stood in a very responsible position in the kingdom of Babylon. There will always be those who will occupy positions of lesser responsibility; but whatever our work, our example may be such that it will lead others in to right paths. We need to humble ourselves before God and pray to Him, and trust in Him…. We cannot afford to miss any opportunity for perfecting a Christian character. Whatever experience may come to others, remember that you, in your lot and place, will be tested by God. There will be times when you will be placed in unfavorable positions, but at such times plead with God, trust in Him, and walk in simple faith before the Lord. Then angels of heaven will impress your minds. Let not your minds be filled with self and self-interests. The Lord is looking upon us in mercy and love today. Who will follow out the will of the Lord? Who will study to overcome the hasty temper, remembering that the words they speak are spoken in the hearing of heavenly angels? These heavenly agencies are continually ministering to us.—Manuscript 73, August 27, 1909, “Lessons From the First Chapter of Daniel,” sermon preached at Council Grove camp meeting.
The Upward Look p. 253
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Prayer Requests
—-I appeal to you to hold Jim up in your prayers. His wife passed today. W
—-Please pray for a woman by the name of Thursday. She was just moved to ICU with COVID-19 AND has other health issues like COPD that will likely complicate her recovery. Cora
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Dear Friends,
I used to have a coworker whose whole focus was on Elvis Presley. The walls in her office were covered with photographs of him. She loved to talk about this singer who had lured so many other performers into drugs and whose career ended abruptly from an overdose of sleeping pills. One time an Elvis impersonator was entertaining in the courthouse lobby (around the time of Elvis’ birthday if I remember correctly) and this co-worker made quite a spectacle of herself. She began screaming like a schoolgirl and even bowed down to him. How disgusting! After the performance, she had this rather poor representation of the former rock star come to her office and showed him all of her memorabilia. One year she even went so far as to burn candles and offer food to a large photo of Elvis on the anniversary of his death. It was quite amazing how she literally worshiped a dead man as if he were a god.
Praise God! We do not worship a dead man! Our Dear Saviour is alive! We do not worship Someone Who leads others into sin! He is Pure and Holy and Good and leads us into righteousness! Moreover Jesus gave His life for us that we might enjoy fellowship with Him both now and eternally. “Wherefore he is able also to save to the uttermost [all] that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for [us].” Heb 7:25 Think of it! The very same Jesus, Who left the throne of glory, walked this earth as a man, was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, Who died for our sins that we might be saved is even now before God, the Father, interceding in our behalf. Wonderful Saviour!
Yet how seldom is our focus on Him Who gave Himself a ransom for us. (Matt 20:28) How rarely do we speak of His goodness. God’s Holy Word is filled with His love, His Goodness, His message for our edification; yet how often we read, listen to, or watch that which edifies not. How it must amaze the unfallen beings of the universe that we think more of the mundane things of this world than we do of the King of Glory.
How our Loving Redeemer’s Great Heart of Love must break when we ignore Him or at best give Him only “lip service.” With tears in His voice He says to us as He said to the Pharisees of old, “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matt 15:7-9
Contrariwise, how much joy we give Him when our focus is upon Him and His great love for us. How we please Him when we speak of His blessings. Indeed He makes a record of our words and thoughts. “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.” Mal 3:16-18
May we never be ashamed to focus totally upon our Great Redeemer and worship Him as openly as that woman worshipped her idol. May our sweetest thoughts be of our Lord Jesus Christ and His marvelous love and grace. May we daily pray as did David, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 19:14
Rose