They ignored the Lord’s warnings and commands, and they rejected the solemn agreement he had made with their ancestors. They worshiped worthless idols and became worthless themselves. The Lord had told the Israelites not to do the things that the foreign nations around them were doing, but Israel became just like them. (2 Kings 17:15)
The proverb in the title of this devotion is true in almost every aspect of our lives. In the case of the Scripture reference, this reminds me of what my mother would often tell me: that I would be known by the company I keep. Of course, it really means that I will be known by the people I choose to emulate. When I taught Sunday School to middle schoolers, I used the phrase “garbage in, garbage out”, often known as GIGO, referring to unwholesome books, movies, and music. And then we also hear from our health advisors that “you are what you eat.” Does that mean that when I eat chicken, I will become a chicken? Of course not! But I’m sure you get the point.
Standards today are so different from even fifty years ago, and even then, they were different from the previous fifty years. The culture, rather than reinforcing Christianity, is now the enemy of all of us who want to honor God with our thoughts, words, and actions.
Daniel is a perfect example of one who overcomes the ungodly culture, and he is one of my most treasured role models. Daniel was a good Jewish boy who became a young adult during the time that the Babylonians conquered Judah. Daniel and his friends were taken captive by this enemy country and subjected to its pagan religion, culture, and food. The path of least resistance and risk was to go along. But Daniel did not believe that becoming a captive of the Babylonians meant that he had to become like them, even at risk to his life and well-being, and even when going along might have even seemed more delicious.
For example, when King Nebuchadnezzar “assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table,” “Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.” (Daniel 1:5,8)
And when King Nebuchadnezzar ordered Daniel to be taught “the language and literature of the Babylonians,” “God gave (Daniel) knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning.” (Daniel 1: 4:17)
When King Darius ordered that everyone pray only to him, Daniel “…went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before.” (Daniel 5:7,10) Postscript: this is when Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den and then was miraculously spared from becoming their dinner.
As a result, Daniel (a Jewish exile) became a highly respected and trusted advisor to at least four foreign kings: Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar of Babylon, and Darius and Cyrus of Persia; and all without compromising his worship of God. In fact, Daniel was able to influence those cultures rather than to be influenced, as we see in the verses below:
- “Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell prostrate before Daniel and paid him honor and ordered that an offering and incense be presented to him. The king said to Daniel, ‘Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.’ Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men.” (Daniel 2:46-48).
- “At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever” (Daniel 4:34).
- “Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom” (Daniel 5:29).
- “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. ‘For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.’ So, Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” (Daniel 6:26-28).
These were no small accomplishments! Daniel is such a great role model for us all. He could have easily become a follower of Nebuchadnezzar, and perhaps would have had enjoyed a high position anyway. However, Daniel refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar or the kings that followed. He steadfastly followed the teachings of the Bible, even at risk to his own life, and because of that he is known as a godly man with a godly influence.
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, put it like this:
“So, I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.” (Ephesians 4:17-19)
“That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:20-24)
In other words, you become like what you worship. So, let us together worship the one true God, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
In Christ,
Judy
judycline 