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Faithful to Hold On to Truth
When Nebuchadnezzar got the finest young men the captives had to offer, he indoctrinated them. He reeducated them. This was not free education—it was indoctrination, by force, of people who could not critically challenge the king’s “generosity.”
The same is happening in our time. Political powers, social media enterprises, and large corporations control the narrative and are constantly attempting to indoctrinate us. This is why we must get our minds, hearts, and souls into the Word of God. It’s the only book that has the truth. As the writer of Hebrews said, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Nebuchadnezzar’s servant, Ashpenaz, changed the names of Daniel and his friends.
- Daniel’s name means “God is my judge.” He was renamed Belteshazzar, which means “Bel (a Babylonian god) protects his life.”
- Hananiah. His name means “God has acted graciously.” He was renamed Shadrach, which means “Aku (the Babylonian moon god) commands.”
- Mishael. His name means “There is no god like God.” He was renamed Meshach, which means “Aku (the Babylonian moon god) is who god is.”
- Azariah. His name means “God has helped.” He was renamed Abednego, which means “Nabu (a Babylonian god) is god.”
Ashpenaz was intentionally removing God’s name from their identity and spoken language. We do the same thing in our time. Humanity still craves the divine power to control and reidentify ourselves and others through indoctrination. Our sins are no different from those of Ashpenaz and Nebuchadnezzar in Babylonia. What is happening in our day is just another manifestation of our attempt to play God.
But removing God’s name does not remove God. If God is God, then he will not be stopped. He is looking for faithful men like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah who will be faithful to his name in culturally combative times.
Are you such a man?
ASK THIS: How do you let God’s Word define what you believe to be truth? When has studying God’s Word changed your mind?
DO THIS: In your actions and speech this week, let God’s Word determine truth.
PRAY THIS: God, fill my mind with your truth. Amen.
About this Plan
What does it look like to remain faithful to God in a difficult environment? Daniel’s story begins when he is taken into captivity as a teenager. He became a refugee in Babylonia under King Nebuchadnezzar, who led the greatest superpower nation that had ever existed. Daniel’s life under Nebuchadnezzar teaches us how to remain faithful in the hardest situations and find joy even in suffering.
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