God’s Word is Alive

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, his chief of staff, to bring to the palace some of the young men of Judah's royal family and other noble families, who had been brought to Babylon as captives. Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. (Daniel 1:3, 6 NLT)

Israel (North) and Judah (South) are defeated.  The Babylonian empire has spread out over the land and the Israelite survivors are in captivity.  Daniel, the guy who will later be thrown in a lion’s den, is one of them.  He has been selected to be one of the elite advisors to the Babylonian king.  He is being trained with other best-of-the-best kind of people and is being fed the best foods from the king’s kitchen.

But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. (Daniel 1:8 NLT)

Why would Daniel fight against such good treatment?  Why would he run the risk of punishment and even death for rebelling against the king’s wishes?  God’s Word told Daniel not to eat those foods.

The voice said to me, "Son of man, eat what I am giving you--eat this scroll! Then go and give its message to the people of Israel." So I opened my mouth, and He fed me the scroll. "Fill your stomach with this," He said. And when I ate it, it tasted as sweet as honey in my mouth. (Ezekiel 3:1-3 NLT)

Daniel recognized what Ezekiel knew as well: we need to follow God’s Word.  Ezekiel learned that God’s Word “tasted” sweet.  Daniel knew that the Israelites received the promised land when they followed God’s Word and that they were defeated when they rebelled against God’s Word.  God is not to be trifled with.

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13 NIV84)

How about you?  Do you have a respect for God’s Word like Daniel?  Have you found God’s Word to be sweet like Ezekiel did?  Do you read, listen to, or take the time to understand God’s Word?  Do you allow God’s Word to change you?  In you, is God’s Word alive?