The Book of Prophet Daniel
Chapter 1
1. In the third year of the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2. The Lord let King Jehoiakim of Judah fall into his power, as well as some of the vessels of the house of God. These he brought to the land of Shinar, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his gods.
(Book of Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 1 to 2)
Oh God how wonderful but mysterious You are, and how hard for us humans it is to fully understand Your ways. We have witnessed, You permitting Your people to experience one exile after another, from which Your mighty hand delivered them, and now You permitted sacred items to be stolen and taken away to the lands o the unbelievers as treasure in the presence of false gods. Even though we do not understand why certain situations take place we need not worry for You are in control of all that takes place in our life. You love us so much that You want us to grow and develop to become whole as Christians and even as humans to be fully alive, however as in the world of academics, this requires that we be tested in order for us to be assessed if we are ready to make the big leap of faith in our lives or not at the given moment or not. I therefore, thank You for such moments even though I sometimes fail such moments of testing and need to be tested again and again Amen.
3. Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, 4. young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
(Book of Daniel the prophet Chapter 1 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God my Father I greatly thank You for all the knowledge and skills that You have given me throughout the years, however I thank You most for the gift of faith. Amen. As much as Your people were given the opportunity to integrate with the Chaldeans by teaching them their literature and language, every day of my life when meditating on Your word, You are also teaching me how to think, speak and behave, so that I am better equipped to be a better human and Christian Amen.
5. The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king's court.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verse 5)
Oh God my Father the offers set before us by the world seem to be better than ever. There is a promise for a better future, but somehow there always seems to be a catch in such deals. I pray that You continue to enlighten us with Your wisdom especially when it comes to making such choices. Amen.
6. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the tribe of Judah. 7. The palace master gave them other names; Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 6 to 7)
Oh God my Father a change in education and lifestyle as in the case of Daniel and his friends does not imply a change in one's belief. Although the opportunity of change appears to be genuine and offers a better future, we are to remain on our guard for at times there is a catch. Therefore before accepting such offers one has to do alot of praying to You and discerning what is not visually apparent at the time of the offer before giving our consent. Amen
8. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. 9. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favour and compassion from the palace master.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 8 to 9)
Oh God my Father even when running a great risk, Daniel remained firm in his faith and decided to disobey the orders of the King in order to remain faithful to You Amen. I pray oh God my Father that we are all firm in our faith in the face of temptation Amen.
10. The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king."
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verse 10)
Oh God my Father many times we are more afraid of not disobeying our earthly masters who pass away than You my God and Father who is eternal. May we respect our masters and obey them, but not to the point of placing our faith in danger Amen.
11. Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12. Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe."
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God my Father when science is used to achieve a positive end and not against God, it is very interesting. As in the case of the Prophet Daniel, who is suggesting what is called as a comparative analysis, or a pre-test and post-test model which is a simple model that I used in my thesis. The test compares both groups by making an assessment in the beginning of the test and at the end and observations and conclusions are reached according to the results obtained as suggested by the prophet.
14. So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. 15. At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 14 to 15)
Oh God my Father although the world gives good food that is nourishing to the body, You give better food that is nourishing for both the body and the soul. Help us therefore to make the best choice of our diet Amen.
16. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. 17. To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 16 to 17)
Once the guard witnessed that there were no negative consequences of the change in diet, he was convinced to obey Daniel's request. Likewise oh God my Father, when we make an experience of You this brings a radical change in our lives in the sense of how we think and even behave Amen.
18. At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, 19. and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king's court. 20. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21. And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 18 to 21)
Oh God my Father as in the case of Daniel and the other chosen ones' when I was during an Interview with AWAS You gave me the necessary knowledge in order to pass the test and be accepted within the foundation. I thank You God my Father for Your intervention Amen.
I would like to end the first chapter of the 'Book of Daniel' with the following prayer:-
Oh God my heavenly Father and even Father on earth, I praise Your name in worship. I thank You for being active in my life, especially when it come to making the right decisions. I thank You for helping me during my latest interviews by giving me the words of knowledge in order to make my interview with AWAS a success. Amen.
Thank You Jesus
3. Then the king commanded his palace master Ashpenaz to bring some of the Israelites of the royal family and of the nobility, 4. young men without physical defect and handsome, versed in every branch of wisdom, endowed with knowledge and insight, and competent to serve in the king's palace; they were to be taught the literature and language of the Chaldeans.
(Book of Daniel the prophet Chapter 1 verses 3 to 4)
Oh God my Father I greatly thank You for all the knowledge and skills that You have given me throughout the years, however I thank You most for the gift of faith. Amen. As much as Your people were given the opportunity to integrate with the Chaldeans by teaching them their literature and language, every day of my life when meditating on Your word, You are also teaching me how to think, speak and behave, so that I am better equipped to be a better human and Christian Amen.
5. The king assigned them a daily portion of the royal rations of food and wine. They were to be educated for three years, so that at the end of that time they could be stationed in the king's court.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verse 5)
Oh God my Father the offers set before us by the world seem to be better than ever. There is a promise for a better future, but somehow there always seems to be a catch in such deals. I pray that You continue to enlighten us with Your wisdom especially when it comes to making such choices. Amen.
6. Among them were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah from the tribe of Judah. 7. The palace master gave them other names; Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 6 to 7)
Oh God my Father a change in education and lifestyle as in the case of Daniel and his friends does not imply a change in one's belief. Although the opportunity of change appears to be genuine and offers a better future, we are to remain on our guard for at times there is a catch. Therefore before accepting such offers one has to do alot of praying to You and discerning what is not visually apparent at the time of the offer before giving our consent. Amen
8. But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself. 9. Now God allowed Daniel to receive favour and compassion from the palace master.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 8 to 9)
Oh God my Father even when running a great risk, Daniel remained firm in his faith and decided to disobey the orders of the King in order to remain faithful to You Amen. I pray oh God my Father that we are all firm in our faith in the face of temptation Amen.
10. The palace master said to Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king; he has appointed your food and drink. If he should see you in poorer condition than the other young men of your own age, you would endanger my head with the king."
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verse 10)
Oh God my Father many times we are more afraid of not disobeying our earthly masters who pass away than You my God and Father who is eternal. May we respect our masters and obey them, but not to the point of placing our faith in danger Amen.
11. Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: 12. Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe."
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 11 to 13)
Oh God my Father when science is used to achieve a positive end and not against God, it is very interesting. As in the case of the Prophet Daniel, who is suggesting what is called as a comparative analysis, or a pre-test and post-test model which is a simple model that I used in my thesis. The test compares both groups by making an assessment in the beginning of the test and at the end and observations and conclusions are reached according to the results obtained as suggested by the prophet.
14. So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days. 15. At the end of ten days it was observed that they appeared better and fatter than all the young men who had been eating the royal rations.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 14 to 15)
Oh God my Father although the world gives good food that is nourishing to the body, You give better food that is nourishing for both the body and the soul. Help us therefore to make the best choice of our diet Amen.
16. So the guard continued to withdraw their royal rations and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables. 17. To these four young men God gave knowledge and skill in every aspect of literature and wisdom; Daniel also had insight into all visions and dreams.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 16 to 17)
Once the guard witnessed that there were no negative consequences of the change in diet, he was convinced to obey Daniel's request. Likewise oh God my Father, when we make an experience of You this brings a radical change in our lives in the sense of how we think and even behave Amen.
18. At the end of the time that the king had set for them to be brought in, the palace master brought them into the presence of Nebuchadnezzar, 19. and the king spoke with them. And among them all, no one was found to compare with Daniel. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they were stationed in the king's court. 20. In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21. And Daniel continued there until the first year of King Cyrus.
(Book of the Prophet Daniel Chapter 1 verses 18 to 21)
Oh God my Father as in the case of Daniel and the other chosen ones' when I was during an Interview with AWAS You gave me the necessary knowledge in order to pass the test and be accepted within the foundation. I thank You God my Father for Your intervention Amen.
I would like to end the first chapter of the 'Book of Daniel' with the following prayer:-
Oh God my heavenly Father and even Father on earth, I praise Your name in worship. I thank You for being active in my life, especially when it come to making the right decisions. I thank You for helping me during my latest interviews by giving me the words of knowledge in order to make my interview with AWAS a success. Amen.
Thank You Jesus
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