Daniel 1:1-21 KJV
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
3 And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes;
4 Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.
5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
18 Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.
19 And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.
21 And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

Taken captive. Most of us understand not about captivity. Americans last stance on captivity would be perhaps foreigners coming by boats and put into refuge camps and not free to walk on our shores when they reach it. People fleeing from South America across Mexico border to the land of opportunity, with no knowledge of law and put in refuge camps until decision on what would become of them would occur. Immigrants coming into America that worked our fields not as slaves but hire servants. Then you got over hundred years ago slavery that exist in our nation. Why bring up the past. The reason is every nation in the world has had to deal with exile, freedom, and captivity. Yet each nation that under gone it has done so at different times in history. Does the world get better, no it still exist today it seems. Refugees on foreign soil looking for away to survive and get their life back to some form of normalcy. 29th President of the United States Warren G Harding won the election on the phrase to "return to normalcy" in 1921. Now I know very little about President Harding but his political life was full of scandal despite his own innocents while in office and he died of heart attack while in office. He was not pro immigration.

People in exile from their homeland may not see normalcy again, or even freedom from being taken, but they have resolved in many cases to handle the situation of struggle and strength. Meaning they take the bad and turn it for good. Making a normalcy that is really not normal, but learning to adapt in the situation. As I grow older the idea of adapting becomes harder, then I realize we just keep plowing through life. Most of us can fight the bad times, but it is the struggle to move foreward despite hardship that can be hard. To overcome must come with perserverance or a silver spoon. Daniel, Meshrach,Shadrach and Abednego, (the more common known names of Daniels friends) were offspring of royalty. The diplomatic immunity given to them by the King Nebuchadnezzar was because of their learning skills and also their health being greater then the commoners. King Nebuchadnezzar did not look on other societies as being garabage, but a culture to learn from. So the king commission the offspring of their royalty, that had learning skills to come and learn, and to trade knowledge. Scripture does not say how Daniel or his friends were connect to royals in Israel palace, but the fact they were chosen only proves their royalty. Perhaps a blessing, because they were not put into exile the same way other of the Jewish population were. This is important fact for the story. Yet it also defines how leaders use other nations leaders to help their people understand things of their world. It not a secret it is a simple fact, that cultures being different need intercessors to their way of life. Ezekiel was a type of intercessor as a prophet for his people.

Daniel was also a minister, prophet of Israel and even interpreted dreams. Daniel has a choice to make to obey God's dietary laws or eat the king's diet. He became friends with a Eunuch who did not want to disobey the king, but Daniel asked him to allow him ten days on his diet and see how he appeared healthwise. When he was called for by the king after ten days, the king was impressed by Daniel and his friends healthy appearance but also his wisdom and understanding, skills, and knowledge.

Our obedience to God is important, but also a silent depiction of God's Spirit leading the children of Israel in royal ranks. Their obedience to God would matter in regards to their faith and standing firm in their faith despite perscution. These four men would be tested in their faith to stand persecution and live to tell it. Daniel would see the lions den, and Meshrach, Shadrach and Abednego would see the fiery furnance. Simple obedience to dietary law perhaps encouraging them to obey God on foreign soil even more. Perhaps using their leadership to declare God in unusual places.

The use their bad situation for good. Were they young enough that they may not been effect as older generation would. Perhaps, but still they would have memory of the walk out of Israel. Wonder what their parents told them. What would you tell your children, and others, in deal with a bad situation. Pulling up ones own bootstraps comes to mind, it old saying. but it more then that. It learning to use the gifts God provides you with in bad situation to over come hardship, imprisonment in regards of not being in the place you desire. This pandemic has left many having to be overcomers, in hopes of normalcy returning. It seems likely that normalcy might not be normal for sometime despite economic recovery that happening in our land. Our main question will it continue. We all hope, as one person said there always beans and cornbread for supper. It is true, but it part of American staples of those dealing with hardship.

Learning to walk by God's Spirit in hardship is probably sounds crazy, but it is also a testimony of overcoming obstacles because of faith. Silver spoon in Daniel and his friends life may of been a powerful tool of their survival, but they still had lots to learn about their station in life. What obeying God would entail.

Dear Heavenly Father a silver spoon or not your grace is sufficient in our struggles, and our obedience to you in hardship comes with reward from you. Help us to walk by your Spirit in faith in Christ Jesus. Help us to be people of faith and not people of destruction. People of wisdom, knowledge and truth like Daniel and his friends. in Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Luke 21:12-15 KJV
12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake.
13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony.
14 Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer:
15 For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.

1 Corinthians 2:1-7 KJV
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: