Currently a group of gals from our church is studying the book of Daniel led by Beth Moore. We’re learning how as a young teen, Daniel was captured and taken 700 miles away from his home to Babylon. He spent the rest of his life there; he never returned home; he never saw his family again. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered that youth who were from nobility or the royal family; had no physical defects; were young, well informed and were quick to learn be brought to his palace. Because of these attributes, Daniel along with three of his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, was chosen to be part of this elite group of young men that were to be trained for the king’s guard.

It took three years to teach these young men the language, literature, customs and culture of Babylon. Their names were changed; for the goal was to change the entire identity of these young lads until their life matched their name. The names given to these Hebrew boys contained a name of a Babylonian god.

As I think of what Daniel and his friends resolved to do to keep themselves true to Jehovah God and not to succumb to the lure and riches of their environment, I wonder how their parents and their faith community instilled in these teenagers that staying true to their faith in Jehovah God no matter what they faced, was the only thing that mattered. How did they insulate these young teens to be able to withstand all the temptations and tragedies they would encounter in their captivity?

One thing that was of greatest importance to Hebrew people was their name. The reason being, a name was of utmost value to God. In fact, Scripture has many references regarding the importance of God’s name: Psalm 8:1 "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" ; Psalm 34:3 "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together" ; Psalm 138: 2b " . . .for you have exalted above all things your name and your word." ; Matt 6:9 "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name." You see a name had meaning. The names of all four of these boys contained the word Yah which is a contraction of Yahweh, which meant God. Can you imagine what it did to them to have their names changed to mean something contrary to the truth regarding their God?

What these young men did, my friend, was to resolve to stay true to Jehovah God and their given names. They displayed tact and wisdom in every situation. They prayed urgently and frequently to their God. They pleaded with Him for mercy to spare their lives. They trusted Him completely. They took their God into their world of captivity and lives were changed. Eventually those about them, even King Nebuchadnezzar, sought to know and worship the one true Jehovah God.

What will you and I resolve to do during Lent? Will we be true to our name – Christian? Will we determine to speak to others with kindness, wisdom and tact? Will we resist being squeezed into the world’s mold? Will we resolve to bring our lives more in tune with the character of our Lord and Savior? Will we be a Daniel in the world in which we’re placed? Will our example be one that others see and are drawn to? Will we trust the Lord in all situations – even when it seems impossible? Will we spend time reading Scripture; praying and obeying Him? Let is be so, Lord. Let it be so.