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Have
you ever visited any far away place and stayed there for
long? It is often difficult to adjust to the life-style
of a foreign country. You may not like the food and
drinks of that place. But if someone forces to eat such
food how would you feel? But when you pray to God, He
will show you what to do. In this story you can see how
some youngsters could keep themselves from eating such
food.
This story happened very long time ago. Once there were
four young men who were taken to a foreign country by
the conquering king. They were among thousands of such
captives. In that country the people didn’t know or love
our Father in heaven. The king of that country told his
servant: “I want these young men to go to school so they
can learn how to help me rule my people. Give them the
same rich food that I eat, so they will grow to be
strong and healthy.”
The servant told the men what the king had said they
should do. But one of the men, whose name was Daniel,
said: “We will go to the king’s school, but please do
not ask us to eat the king’s food, because that food is
given to idols. We serve our God, and He has commanded
us not to eat food offered to idols. We want to obey and
please God.” The king’s servant said: “If you don’t eat
the king’s food, you will not grow strong and healthy.
Then the king will become angry with me.”
Daniel thought about what the servant said. He believed
that God could make him strong even though he didn’t eat
the king’s food. So when another servant brought some of
the king’s food to Daniel and his friends, Daniel said
to him: “Please take this meat and red wine away. Let us
eat vegetables and cereal and drink water instead. After
ten days you will see whether we look stronger and
healthier than the young men who eat the king’s food.
The servant said he would try Daniel’s plan. For ten
days he brought them vegetables and cereal to eat and
water to drink. For ten days he gave the other young men
the food from the king’s table. When the ten days were
over, the servant could see that Daniel and his friends
looked healthier than the young men who ate the king’s
food. Because they loved God and wanted to obey Him, God
made them strong and healthy. So the servant said: “All
right, you won’t ever have to eat the king’s food.”
At the king’s school Daniel and his friends studied
hard. They learned to read and write the language of
that country. They also learned the best arts and
science of that time. God helped them to become very
wise and smart among the students. When they had
finished school, the king commanded that they should be
brought to the palace to see him. The other young men,
who had eaten the food offered to idols, also were
brought before the king.
The king talked with all the young men. He asked them
what they had learned. Soon he saw that the wisest and
the healthiest young men were Daniel and his three
friends – the young men whom God had blessed. The king
was pleased with them. He appointed them in high
positions in the kingdom. As Daniel and his friends
believed, God helped them to become strong and healthy
and wise.
Dear little child, you have seen how God help those who
stand for Him and obey His commandments. Because Daniel
and his friends stood for God He gave them strength and
wisdom above others. Let us also stand for God and obey
His commandments everywhere. Then God will help us to be
successful and not be ashamed. Let us pray. Dear Lord,
help me to stand for You and obey Your commandments
always and everywhere. Amen. May the Lord bless you!
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