Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God. Each exclamation is a trigger to prayer. I find myself praying for you with a glad heart. I am so pleased that you have continued on in this with us, believing and proclaiming God’s Message, from the day you heard it right up to the present. There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears. (Philippians 1:3-6, The Message)

As we said in the first session, we want to be like Jesus.  That is our normal Christian life goal – daily – not occasionally.  Jesus is our example in all things.

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: (1 Peter 2:21)

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.  (Luke 6:40)

Jesus said he will reward us openly.

An example of this was the life of Daniel.  Daniel survived four government changes – an absolute miracle in the ancient world.  That he could serve in the highest ranks of four emperors, as godless and cruel as they come, with no concern for anything or anyone other than themselves, can only be ascribed to God’s hand and providence to accomplish His will through Daniel’s presence in the palace.

Why did those power maniacs not only tolerate Daniel but kept him close – on speed-dial so to speak? 

His wisdom was well-known.  He displayed supernatural insight AND was not afraid to communicate it.  Some scholars are of the opinion that most people understood the meaning of the words on the wall of the Belshazzar’s feast, but there was not one who had the guts to say it, because they knew it would mean the end of their life.  To kill the messenger was an easy display of absolute power and total disregard for a life. (Daniel 5)

Belshazzar was greatly disturbed and could not find any solution.  He was brought low in his state of depression (5:9), so low that he listened to his queen who suggested that he consults Daniel, who was obviously not present at the feasting.  The grounds on which the queen spoke was Nebuchadnezzar’s testimony of Daniel and the wisdom Daniel displayed during his reign.

Belshazzar speaks Daniel’s reputation in his greeting:

 I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.  (5:14)

[NLT and KJV = the spirit of gods]

In the first chapter of Daniel we read:

But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.  (1:8)

Daniel must have been very young when he witnessed the terrible cruel siege of Jerusalem with unthinkable defeat afterwards, his people taken into exile in a state of slavery, his king’s eyes gouged out and his country destroyed. But – he was already schooled in the ways of his God and was very aware not to partake in the magnificence of a pagan empire offered to him in Babylon.

Babylon was much advanced and must have been a great contrast in architecture, learning institutions and luxury.  Daniel took the best, without “defiling” himself with all the king’s delicacies – a lesson in a lifestyle of fasting.

Later in chapter 10 he was on a serious fast to find the answer to his prayer and in doing that, his earnest discipline broke the stronghold of the Prince of Persia who hindered the messenger that God sent to speak with Daniel. No wine, no (pleasant) bread or choice meats for three weeks – a Biblical guide to choosing your fast.  It was very clear to Daniel that his routine had to be interrupted for special insight and prayer vigilance.  He chose what to eat and not to eat. He prays about the end of the exile and with his prayer and fasting open the way for the first exiles to return to Jerusalem to build the city, Temple and wall. (Ezra and Nehemia)

Food is a blessing.  To go without is a path to death, there is no doubt about it.  Life is a constant battle to stay nourished and healthy and as we know from our modern medicine and new research, it is also food that makes us sick.  Modern industrialized food production is one of the culprits – very fast, very convenient and even very tasty  – sugar and other enhancements are added to make it sell.  Money, as everywhere, plays a big role in food provision the world over.  

To some people food is an idol.  Pride and pretence surround eating habits the world over.  At the same time, millions of people live with daily hunger and fear of the death that it might bring.  Food security is a blessing and should be a source of gratefulness to God who provides every day.

In our world food security is a given and most people take it for granted.  The problem is the opposite of hunger – rather gluttony or a degree of it.  Hunger is satisfied easily and quickly.  Some live in fear of the feeling of being hungry.  The impulse to eat reign supreme.

This is the first obstacle in the spiritual discipline of fasting.

God gave all the provision for nutrition in the Garden of Eden. Every tree pleasant to the sight and good for food. (Genesis 2:8-9; 16-17)

To eat is to be filled with.  That is why we “eat” Communion – symbolic of the body and blood of Christ.  In every bite we declare to be filled up with Christ.

Jesus instituted Communion AFTER a meal – the regular Passover meal.  While doing it He told us: Remember Me!

We do it in a simple daily ritual.  We “remember” Jesus when we pray over the table at mealtimes.  We often use a little rhyme, someone else’s effort, to ramble a thanks because that is what we should do.

What would be different if we truly remember Jesus at every meal?  Would our habits change?  Would the meal be made and enjoyed differently?

If we believe what we confess to believe, the answer to all the above should be a resounding YES.  It is a good starting point for connecting Jesus with every meal – a heart, brain, stomach connection which is very valuable.

This is the challenge to our meal prayers.  Make it a time to remember Jesus.