Kings And Priests Part 2: The Test
When I was a child, I always wanted to be a royal.
I grew up with Disney influencing my life and I loved the Disney princesses. With an active imagination, I would dream that I was Sleeping Beauty or Snow White, the Zambian Version.
Growing older and mature, I realised that these were all fantasies, but the desire to rule or to lead still burned in me. When I got saved, I heard that under Jesus, we are "heirs to a throne" or "royal priests".
You can imagine how I felt when I heard that! So now I get to have a crown, guaranteed respect and an endless supply of food and clothes. Certified awesomeness!
This was my thought pattern until one day (it seems like I always have this particular day when I begin to see things as they really are!), it dawned on me that Jesus' translation of royalty was completely different. It was beyond being pampered, celebrated, or being what I call a "D.I.D" (Damsel In Distress, meaning waiting for someone to rescue you in distressing situations. Most princesses are like this). It was being a risk taker, bold soldier, service and standing for what is right.
In this article, I came to show you what I discovered about being royalty. It goes beyond experiencing the good life. It is about making someone experience good life.
I am pretty sure I left you on quite a cliffhanger in Part one and I am definitely sure you are wondering why I called these articles "Kings and Priests" (my mother kept questioning me). However, on another empty afternoon, I discovered the perfect explanation for the title, which is the backbone on this article.
How about we go further into the story of Daniel and his friends?
Continuing from we left off, Daniel and his friends have now entered the training for royal service (Daniel 1:6) . They were pretty much enjoying their privileges, until it came to eating. The food assigned to them was cooked in a manner totally unacceptable in Jewish customs. Daniel got all the bravery he had and went to Ashpenaz, the chief of staff, and told him to excuse him and his friends from this diet.
Ashpenaz's heart warmed towards them and he said he was afraid of despising the instructions because they could go thin and frail and he could get killed because of that.
With an unusual boldness, Daniel challenged Ashpenaz to an unusual test. They would have vegetables and water for 10 days (reader, can you do that?) whilst the other boys had the king's food, then observe the difference.
Ten days later, it is written that Daniel and his friends were "healthier and better" and God gave them an "unusual aptitude for understanding, every aspect of literature and wisdom. And Daniel the special ability to interpret visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:17).
When the King met them later after the training, he was noted to have been extremely impressed at the wisdom of Daniel and his friends, wisdom greater than all his magicians and advisers in the entire kingdom (Daniel 1:20).
What a happy ending, I thought. But still, why Kings and Priests?
Remember I said that I wanted to be royalty? And Jesus' concept of ruler-ship was completely different from mine? I realised that Daniel was the definition of a royal priest.
A Royal priest is someone who is an heir to a throne (royal) and a priest is someone who had access to God and was required to be different (holy) from the rest because of this access.
Daniel showed this brilliantly in what I call "The Test" because what he did during training dictated what he did in his life. From what was explained, Daniel was tested in a circumstance where he could either conform or stand out. It seemed perfectly reasonable for him to eat the King's food, even though it was wrong.
But Daniel considered being right with God much more important, even at the risk of his own life. And because of this, even in his boldness to prove that he will obey God no matter what, God gave him more than what was expected: unusual wisdom, favour with kings and knowledge that exceeded the qualification.
Could that be you?
It surely can. Do note the lesson: the test can happen any time and any where. But are you willing to be a risk taker, bold soldier, standing for what is right or for what God sees as right? The reason for our next level to a higher level or to rule is not to be not to lord over people, but to show who the Lord is to the people. Those are the people God lifts up.
This test became a stepping stone to building the capacity of Daniel as a ruler. Throughout the rest of his life, he was a governor, promoting God's righteousness to a different system.
That is a royal priest. Or as I called it a "King and Priest".
Closing the Bible, I felt my eyes sparkle with inspiration. I know the desire to lead and serve was still there but how do I build my capacity to serve as this "royal priest". I would offer 4 steps:
1) Read the Word with an open mind. Daniel stood for what was right because he knew what was right. Most people find the Bible intimidating because of it's length, but reading it with an open mind is desiring to look for something that will speak to and for you. What I do is try to imagine myself in the text I am are reading or imagine the scene around me. Be determined and expectant in what you read....and you will find your answers.
2) Apply the Word, in all circumstances. From what you read, what lesson have you learnt. It is in the application of what you have been inspired to do that makes the difference. Dare to act. If you feel compelled to give or to forgive, act on it. Daniel did what was right even when it seemed reasonable not to.
3) Talk to God. Prayer is a double way communication. Even later in his life, Daniel developed a habit of talking to God and throughout, God ordered his steps and showed him how to lead and what the future holds. It can be about anything and everything, even about what to wear at that interview or the deepest question you wanted to ask. Imagine God was on the other line, calling you. Will you pick up?
4) Dare to stand out. It is in your difference acting with what you have that makes an authentic impact. I once read a quote "Be you. The world will adjust". Daniel stood out and because of that, God gave him stand out blessings that no one had ever seen throughout. Stand out for God, and God will stand out in you.
To end this article, I would like to leave you with a quote that I keep repeating, if you have noticed, through the most recent articles: "Don't keep waiting for change, for change is waiting in you."
Think Different. Think Royalty
Guide. Light. Inspire
I grew up with Disney influencing my life and I loved the Disney princesses. With an active imagination, I would dream that I was Sleeping Beauty or Snow White, the Zambian Version.
Growing older and mature, I realised that these were all fantasies, but the desire to rule or to lead still burned in me. When I got saved, I heard that under Jesus, we are "heirs to a throne" or "royal priests".
You can imagine how I felt when I heard that! So now I get to have a crown, guaranteed respect and an endless supply of food and clothes. Certified awesomeness!
This was my thought pattern until one day (it seems like I always have this particular day when I begin to see things as they really are!), it dawned on me that Jesus' translation of royalty was completely different. It was beyond being pampered, celebrated, or being what I call a "D.I.D" (Damsel In Distress, meaning waiting for someone to rescue you in distressing situations. Most princesses are like this). It was being a risk taker, bold soldier, service and standing for what is right.
In this article, I came to show you what I discovered about being royalty. It goes beyond experiencing the good life. It is about making someone experience good life.
I am pretty sure I left you on quite a cliffhanger in Part one and I am definitely sure you are wondering why I called these articles "Kings and Priests" (my mother kept questioning me). However, on another empty afternoon, I discovered the perfect explanation for the title, which is the backbone on this article.
How about we go further into the story of Daniel and his friends?
Continuing from we left off, Daniel and his friends have now entered the training for royal service (Daniel 1:6) . They were pretty much enjoying their privileges, until it came to eating. The food assigned to them was cooked in a manner totally unacceptable in Jewish customs. Daniel got all the bravery he had and went to Ashpenaz, the chief of staff, and told him to excuse him and his friends from this diet.
Ashpenaz's heart warmed towards them and he said he was afraid of despising the instructions because they could go thin and frail and he could get killed because of that.
With an unusual boldness, Daniel challenged Ashpenaz to an unusual test. They would have vegetables and water for 10 days (reader, can you do that?) whilst the other boys had the king's food, then observe the difference.
Ten days later, it is written that Daniel and his friends were "healthier and better" and God gave them an "unusual aptitude for understanding, every aspect of literature and wisdom. And Daniel the special ability to interpret visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:17).
When the King met them later after the training, he was noted to have been extremely impressed at the wisdom of Daniel and his friends, wisdom greater than all his magicians and advisers in the entire kingdom (Daniel 1:20).
What a happy ending, I thought. But still, why Kings and Priests?
Remember I said that I wanted to be royalty? And Jesus' concept of ruler-ship was completely different from mine? I realised that Daniel was the definition of a royal priest.
A Royal priest is someone who is an heir to a throne (royal) and a priest is someone who had access to God and was required to be different (holy) from the rest because of this access.
Daniel showed this brilliantly in what I call "The Test" because what he did during training dictated what he did in his life. From what was explained, Daniel was tested in a circumstance where he could either conform or stand out. It seemed perfectly reasonable for him to eat the King's food, even though it was wrong.
But Daniel considered being right with God much more important, even at the risk of his own life. And because of this, even in his boldness to prove that he will obey God no matter what, God gave him more than what was expected: unusual wisdom, favour with kings and knowledge that exceeded the qualification.
Could that be you?
It surely can. Do note the lesson: the test can happen any time and any where. But are you willing to be a risk taker, bold soldier, standing for what is right or for what God sees as right? The reason for our next level to a higher level or to rule is not to be not to lord over people, but to show who the Lord is to the people. Those are the people God lifts up.
This test became a stepping stone to building the capacity of Daniel as a ruler. Throughout the rest of his life, he was a governor, promoting God's righteousness to a different system.
That is a royal priest. Or as I called it a "King and Priest".
Closing the Bible, I felt my eyes sparkle with inspiration. I know the desire to lead and serve was still there but how do I build my capacity to serve as this "royal priest". I would offer 4 steps:
1) Read the Word with an open mind. Daniel stood for what was right because he knew what was right. Most people find the Bible intimidating because of it's length, but reading it with an open mind is desiring to look for something that will speak to and for you. What I do is try to imagine myself in the text I am are reading or imagine the scene around me. Be determined and expectant in what you read....and you will find your answers.
2) Apply the Word, in all circumstances. From what you read, what lesson have you learnt. It is in the application of what you have been inspired to do that makes the difference. Dare to act. If you feel compelled to give or to forgive, act on it. Daniel did what was right even when it seemed reasonable not to.
3) Talk to God. Prayer is a double way communication. Even later in his life, Daniel developed a habit of talking to God and throughout, God ordered his steps and showed him how to lead and what the future holds. It can be about anything and everything, even about what to wear at that interview or the deepest question you wanted to ask. Imagine God was on the other line, calling you. Will you pick up?
4) Dare to stand out. It is in your difference acting with what you have that makes an authentic impact. I once read a quote "Be you. The world will adjust". Daniel stood out and because of that, God gave him stand out blessings that no one had ever seen throughout. Stand out for God, and God will stand out in you.
To end this article, I would like to leave you with a quote that I keep repeating, if you have noticed, through the most recent articles: "Don't keep waiting for change, for change is waiting in you."
Think Different. Think Royalty
Guide. Light. Inspire
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