The Daniel Diet Challenge

Everyone should take some time periodically to focus on a particular book of the bible, a study of some topic, or something to let your mind meditate on God’s holy scriptures. Paul said in 2 Tim 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

For those of my church going on the Mountain Trek to Colorado to hike up Mt. Antero, our focus will be the book of Daniel. Daniel and his friends faced constant adversity, and time after time we read of their faithfulness to God. It takes their kind of commitment to “finish the race” to overcome the biggest obstacles that we face in life.

 Although not everyone will be going on the hike, everyone can participate in a 10-day challenge to do as Daniel and his friends did to prepare for the service of the king. They would be required to serve King Nebuchadnezzar, whereas we are privileged to serve our King, Yahweh, the Creator of heaven and earth.

Starting this Sunday, June 12th until June 22nd, anyone who would like to but their faith to the test as Daniel did can join us in a "Daniel Diet” of vegetables and water. Throughout these 10 days, we’ll be reading a chapter of Daniel per day and some related Psalms to encourage us.

In about 605 B.C. Daniel was taken captive to Babylon along with many other dignitaries and elite from Jerusalem. So Nebuchadnezzar began training them to act like a Babylonian. Everything from language, culture, and even the diet. But in Daniel 1:8-16 we can read of Daniel’s dialogue with Ashpenaz (the chief of staff) and how he stood out from the others:

“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 who had been 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. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others.

Hope you’ll join us!