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Here's a story of a young man who was in a situation that if he did not make the right choice, it could have cost him his life and the lives of his friends, and caretaker.
From Series: Life Lessons Learned from the Bible - Daniel 1:8-16
The wisdom of Daniel
Daniel 1:8–16 NLT
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. Now God had given the chief of staff both respect and affection for Daniel. But he responded, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has ordered that you eat this food and wine. If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded.”
Daniel spoke with the attendant appointed by the chief of staff to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said. “At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” The attendant agreed to Daniel’s suggestion and tested them for ten days.
Here is a situation where Daniel and his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, did not want to eat the king's food because they were taught to keep away from foods sacrificed to idols. However, not following the king's orders put the three young men’s caretaker's life and possibly their life in jeopardy. But the wisdom that Daniel had enabled him to come up with a solution that solved the problem without offending the king, risking the chief of staff's life, or causing Daniel and his friends to sin (Acts 15:29, Revelations 2:20, 1 Corinthians 8:4).
Life's crosswords
This was a crossroads for everybody involved. The young men did not want to sin. The caretaker didn’t want to die. And not doing what the king wants can lead to death. How does one come up with a satisfactory solution in a predicament like this?
Daniels refusing to eat the food puts the guard's life at risk. And eating the food will cause him to sin against God. Mathew 10:28 AMP says, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell." Therefore, obeying the king is not a satisfactory solution.
In the chief of staff's position, although he highly respected Daniel, the chief of staff didn't want to risk his life so he had to make Daniel and his friends do what the king wanted. Therefore, listening to Daniel is not a satisfactory solution.
As for the king, going against his oath or orders can tarnish the king's reputation. It can make him look weak, untrustworthy, etc. (Mathew 14:9, Daniel 6:16). Also, in those days most kings didn't compromise. Whatever they said had to happen. Therefore, the king not honoring his word is not a satisfactory solution.
The only choice Daniel had was obtaining wisdom from God—a higher form of wisdom. It can get us out of difficult situations that will be acceptable to all parties.
Here's what happen. Daniel asked the guard for a 10-day challenge that allowed him and his friends to only eat vegetables and drink only water. Then compare him and his friend’s health with the other young men who ate the king's food to see who was healthier. The guard agreed and tested them for 10 days (Daniel 1:11-14).
At the end of the 10-day challenge, Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the king's food (Daniel 1:15). So the guard took away the royal food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead (Daniel 1:16). God's wisdom solved the problem in the best way possible!
Eventually, the wisdom of God caused Daniel to become the third highest ruler in the kingdom because in another incident, he was able to solve the king's problems when he interpreted a writing on the wall when the other men: magicians, enchanters, astrologers, and Chaldeans (who were highly educated, intellectually, and wise group of men), could not (Daniel 5:29; Leviticus 19:31; Acts 19:19; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelations 21:8; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
Wisdom is the ability to discern and use insight to make the right choice. It helps you deal with any situation that you may experience in the best way possible and allows you to know what to do in those impossible situations.
With the wisdom that comes from God, you will have a way out of any circumstance (Psalm 34:19).
Luke 21:15 NLT says, "for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!"
Proverbs 4:6 NIV says, “Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you."
And Ecclesiastes 7:12 NIV says, "Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it."
There is power in wisdom especially when it comes from someone who is omniscient.
God has perfect knowledge of everything. He knows what's in our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 21:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Acts 15:8; Psalm 44:21; Romans 8:27; Psalm 51:10).
He can change our heart to be a certain way at His will (Ezekiel 36:26-27; Exodus 9:12, 10:20, 14:4; Proverbs 21:1; Philippians 2:13).
He knows our thoughts, even before we know them (Psalm 139:2). He knows the future and He is in control (Daniel 4:17).
God's divine wisdom is the best wisdom because any other form of wisdom is foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19).
How To Gain Wisdom For Everyday Affairs
How do we get God's wisdom? James 1:5 ESV says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
The Bible says we do not have because we do not ask (James 4:2). If we ask God for wisdom, based on Scripture, God will give it to us generously.
When we need help or is looking for answers, we need someone who understands us and our situation (Hebrews 4:13). A person who is highly intelligent, full of wisdom, and knows everything (Proverbs 2:8-11; 1John 3:20; Psalm 147:5).
Someone who can see our problems from a unique perspective, and a better viewpoint (Isaiah 55:9). And who knows what we need and can provide the need (2 Corinthians 9:8; Luke 12:24; Matthew 6:33). God is someone with these qualifications and abilities.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).
The next time you encounter a challenge that is beyond your ability to solve, find wisdom in Christ. In Him is where all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge is stored (Colossians 2:3).
Read more about God's wisdom here: The Power of Wisdom
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A call for salvation
When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, His spirit will come to live inside you. This is one of the greatest blessings of salvation. You don't have to go through someone else to get to God, and He will live in your heart where you and Him become one and have a relationship.
All you have to do is make the choice of salvation by repenting of your sins and accepting Jesus into your life by confessing that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that He came from Heaven to die for your sins (Romans 10:9).
Here's a prayer you can repeat:
"Jesus, I confess that you are Lord, and I believe you died and was risen for my sins. I repent and ask for forgiveness of my sins, and I accept you as my personal Lord and Savior. Come into my heart and remove my sins. Thank you for forgiving me and making me into a new person in Jesus' name, Amen."
Once you have done this, please pray and ask God to guide you to a ministry where you can grow and start living the abundant life Jesus promised and died for.
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