1

Daniel and his three friends dedicated to God

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[Daniel 1:8~9]

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel,

3

The kingdom of Judah, which received special grace from God, has fallen. God told many prophets that God would forgive them if they repented and returned, but they did not listen.

4

God is loving but punishes sin precisely. God punished Judah through Babylon for not repenting. God left Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to occupy Judah.

5

King Nebuchadnezzar captured many people from the land of Judah and took them to Babylon. Among the people of Judah, though the nation was ruined and brought to Babylon, there were some who did not abandon their faith in God. They believed that one day God would restore Judah again to be the kingdom of God, and they did not lose their faith during their difficult captivity.

6

King Nebuchadnezzar did wise work to make his country stronger. Among the young men he had taken captive, he gathered intelligent men to study at the royal school in Babylon. It was an action to win people's hearts and strengthen their kingship.

7

When they are elected to this royal school, they have the privilege of studying for three years, eating all the good foods of the king. It was also a school for success that, after studying, served the king. Among the students studying here were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the land of Judah.

8

Daniel felt that eating and drinking food and wine from the king's school would defile himself in serving God. The king's food was given to idols, and eating it meant giving godly loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of the world.

9

Daniel never decided to serve the king of the world like a god. Three friends also joined Daniel's decision. And they went to the chief of officer who managed them to convey their will.

10

Daniel expressed their will. “Help us to keep our faith. Let us not eat the king's food and wine. ”God received the precious hearts of these four friends and made him want to protect their faith.

11

but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your* food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.”(Dn 1:10)

12

Believing in God's presence, Daniel made a suggestion to the chief of officer.

“Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”(Dn 1:12-13)

13

The officer accepted the request of Daniel and his three friends and decided to test it for only 10 days. He gave only water and vegetables to Daniel and his three friends for ten days. After ten days of the promise, he compared the faces of boys who ate the king's food with boys who ate only water and vegetables, as Daniel said.

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But when he saw, the face of four boys who ate only water and vegetables looked brighter and healthier. God saw the faith of these four friends and let them shine forth in their faces. From this day, he was allowed Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah to eat only water and vegetables. Four friends were able to keep their faith by faith.

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God has given great wisdom to Daniel and his three friends who are struggling to keep their faith. Thus they became far wiser and superior than the others there. Daniel became the highest prime minister in Babylon and allowed other friends to become high officials.

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Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah The four men lived faithfully to God everywhere. Although their country was destroyed and taken captive to Babylon, their faith did not change. They firmly refused to serve and exalt other than God, serving and worshiping God alone.

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Those who believe in Jesus and become children of God should strive to live with the same faith as these four people. Because God only exalts him who serves and is loyal to Him who is the one and almighty. If we exalt God alone and do His will, God will rejoice in His faith and exalt him to do God's work.

(This is the sample conclusion provided by CTM. Please feel free to change the conclusion to best suit the listeners of your sermon.)