In Daniel 1:8-20, we see how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishel, and Azariah rejected the king’s food so as not to defile themselves. Though they were slaves in a strange land, these boys were determined to maintain their consecration to God.

Unfortunately, there are many Christians who begin to behave like the people of the world the moment they get to a land where nobody knows them. We see several examples of such in the Bible. Let us consider Lot. He was Abraham’s nephew and must have been trained according to the instructions of God, but when the Angels got to Sodom and Gomorrah, who did they find at the gate of the city? He had blended so much with them that he was amongst those who sat at the gate of the city (Genesis 19:1). He ended up losing all that he had amassed, including his wife.

Wherever you find yourself, you must live by the standard of the Most High God. Some Christian students resume in the University and dump all the consecration they maintained while at home. They start mixing with ungodly friends and join them to lead sinful lives. Some others travel to a different country or state and begin to misbehave.

Be warned! When Daniel got to a strange land, he ensured he kept the company with fellow believers. When you get to a strange land, locate other believers – people who are on fire for God – and befriend them. Join a Bible-believing church where you can continue to serve God as you used to back at home. When you refuse the king’s meat and wine in that strange land so as to stay pure, God will defend you at all times.

When Hananiah, Mishel, and Azariah (now renamed Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego by their captors) were thrown into fiery furnace, the fire could not burn them because they took a stand for God (Daniel 3). When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, the lions could not eat him because he had not defiled himself by indulging in the sinful lifestyle of the inhabitants of the land (Daniel 6). Stand out for Christ anywhere you find yourself and Christ will stand up for you too.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.