I read Daniel tonight as part of my daily devotional. It's Daniel 1 tonight and the message is amazing! =) Thank God!!

I am starting another 30-days fasting, praying for one of our church member for his sickness,, believing that he will be healed!! =) So, today was the first day and it was kind of tough. It took the whole me to really fight my flesh and not to satisfy it. Thank God that He kept reminding me to rely on Him throughout the day and so here I am, because of Him. What I read in Daniel is basically the same with what I'm going through and it strengthening!

Verse 3-4: "...to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and nobility -- young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace..." -- I don't really get this part. What I understand is that these are the characteristics that the king needed from his people. The king didn't need old people with many experience only, he needed young ones. Not only young, but also equipped with skills and good characters such as mentioned above. I have no idea how to get to this point and I am not sure whether or not we should be like this in order for people with high status like the king to use me. I have no idea this is God's standard or the noble people's standard in this world for us to be used. But, the characters, I like them. Well, physical defect...I might have some..not major ones, but probably there are some...I am not beautiful or sweet..and I might not show aptitude for "every" kind of learning...I am not sure I am well informed or even quick to understand...Goshh...all of them are just not me...I'm soooooo far away from all of those...But, I'd like to be like that...

This passage also tells me about Daniel and his friends not eating royal food. Instead, they had vegetables because they didn't want to defile themselves...

What I get here is that, royal food, is the things that please ourselves, our flesh. Eaten by everyone, the noble people as well as the people who are in training to be serving in the palace. If Daniel ate royal food, there would be nothing to differ them from any other people. As Christian, I realize that I need to eat different thing from earthly people. I mean...not judging them, but it's just, rather than pleasing my own flesh, I'd better please the Spirit inside me. =) *what I got yesterday*

I am fasting, I don't please my flesh, but I, with the help of God of course, control myself to please the Spirit.

Important thing to consider here...For 10 days, while other people are eating royal food, Daniel and the other 3, ate vegetables only. It was not easy, I suppose and I am certain of it. So, in verse 9 :

"Now God had caused the official to show FAVOR and symphaty to Daniel."

Daniel, Sadrakh, Mesakh and Abednego, were able to stand and hold, because of the favor from the Lord!!!! Relying on Him!! Like today, God kept reminding HIm to rely on HIm and that caused me to hold back my earthly desire.

At the end,

V.15 "At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who are the royal food."

Healthier --> they live a healthy life, fresh and far away from disease...Happy life, balanced.
Nourished --> Renewed, the old stuff's being taken away and given the new ones.

V. 17 "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds."

As a result of what they did, God gave them all. Knowledge and understanding of what's happening, in all aspects.

V. 20 "In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom."

I might eat something that other people dont get used to eat, but it nourishes me...Daily devotional, for example. God's grace and HIs kindness...

Thank GOD!!