TEN TIMES BETTER (1)
TEN TIMES BETTER (1)
Daniel and the three Hebrew boys were found ten times better not just because there were no contrary conditions; they just chose to be difference among the princes. It was by choice not to defy themselves with the portion of the king’s meat. First, they have lost their identities by names; the Chaldeans refused to tolerate the use of their Hebrew names, because every repetition of it would have meant a challenge to the supremacy of their god (Bel). Their very names were a witness not only to their nationality, but to their religion. For Daniel means "God is my judge"; Hananiah, "Jehovah is gracious"; Mishael (perhaps), "who is equal to God?" Azariah, "God is a helper." The Chaldeans therefore made the names of these boys echo the names of the Babylonian deities. Instead of "God is my judge," Daniel was called Belteshazzar, "protect Thou his life." Hananiah was called Shadrach, perhaps "command of Aku," the moon-deity: Mishael was called Meshach, a name difficult to interpret; and Azariah, instead of "God is a help," was called Abednego, a mistaken form for Abed-nebo, or "servant of Nebo."
Every (wo)man made by God has a unique identity. Identity can be qualities, beliefs, personality, looks and/or expressions that make a person. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and if you now allow the media, fashion, entertainment and the likes to change your identity, you therefore tend to bear the name Daniel and his friends refused to bear. One begins to bear another name and walk contrary to his destiny. If you lose your identity, how do you want to become ten times better than your peers?
Identity tends to tell who you are - yesterday, today and future. Like Jesus Christ, Daniel and his mates professed to be the same person yesterday, today and forever. How about you? Does it mean anything to you at all when people say you have changed? If there is anything you should not lose, it is your identity in God. You have been purchased with a price, by the blood of Jesus, don’t lose it. So who you are matter most to God, would you then allow the devil to give you a name you do not bear? The rest of the children of Israel who ate the king’s palace were not of in Babylon, the devil knows a child of God and a child of God know himself.
Too much fashion and love for the things of the world may make you out of date with God. When you focus too much on your physical appearance, you may be enslaved to the phony and partial pursuits adorned by the media, culture, and society which have no real lasting or satisfying meaning. Your concern should be how to glorify your God in dressing, appearance, name, and conversation. Paul show us his identity in Philippians 3:5-6, hear him: “Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Beloved, you too must not lose your identity, your citizenship is of Heaven and you must live here on earth as a son of the Kingdom. Nothing should terrify you. May you come into the knowledge of your identity in God today in order to fulfil your destiny.
Word Affirmation: “But the LORD is my defence; and my God is the rock of my refuge." - Psa 94:22 (Don't just say it, mean it!)
“Every (wo)man made by God has a unique identity."
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