Chosen

So, when God puts a Scripture, or in this case, a book of the Bible in front of you multiple times you take notice.  For me, it is the book of Daniel.  First, the summer camp our middle school students attend, CIY MIX, studied from this book.  Then, the first series we are studying this Fall for middle school small groups is from this book (which I helped write). Lastly, the devotional series I follow, SheReadsTruth, is starting a study in August. 

 So, why Daniel?  Why now?  Those are the questions I have been asking myself.  I have learned there are no coincidences with God.  Everything has a purpose with Him.  So this has a purpose.  This book has a time and a place in my life for right now.

So, I am digging deeper.

Daniel 1:4New Living Translation (NLT)

4 “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.[a]” (Bible Gateway.org)

This is the command given by King Nebuchadnezzar in chapter 1 of Daniel to select boys for his court.  These boys were to be chosen from the captives he had just taken from Judah, not from people from his own land.  Here is the criteria:

1.  Good-looking

2.  Healthy

3.  Strong

4.  Well-versed in every branch of learning  a.k.a-smart in all subjects

5.  Gifted in knowledge and good judgement- which to me means smart AND makes      good decisions.

6.  Well-suited to serve in my palace-had to "fit in" with the palace crowd-servant

IF, they met all these requirements THEN, they were going to be trained in the ways of Babylon; their language, which was Aramaic and their literature-academic programs:  math, science, astronomy, history, and magic.

King Nebuchadnezzar wanted the best and brightest for his court, even if that meant getting them from other lands and retraining them to his ways.

As I thought on this, isn't this what we are faced with every day as believers?  We accept Jesus into our lives.  He takes us as we are; not looking for the strongest and healthiest.  He works in our hearts through the Holy Spirit.  We pray, study His Word, serve, build relationships other believers; growing in wisdom and love for God and for others.  

Yet, the world is there-waiting to "capture" us if we do not guard our hearts.  We live in a world that is trying to steal our joy, telling us to look out for ourselves and not love others, they want to educate us to their "worldly ways"  and use us for their worldly purposes rather than what God has called me to do.

So what do I do?  

Where do I stand?  

Does my faith look the same at home as it does at work?

Do I let the world train me in their ways or do I continue to follow they ways of God and train the world in His ways?