Prepare Them Well

Over the next few weeks, families all over the country will launch their children into the next chapter in their educational journeys – from preschool to university, public, private or homeschool. There will be new routines, new friends, new opportunities. Emotions will range from high anxiety to high excitement.

There will be a flurry of preparation and activity. Then the serious business of education will begin.

How are you doing, Mom and Dad? May I share a timeless story to encourage you?

Literally thousands of years ago, a king invaded the land of Judah. Among those King Nebuchadnezzar carried back to the land of Babylon were promising young men whom he intended to educate and groom for service in his court.

A large component of this process was a vigorous three-year training program. The curriculum of these young men would include schooling in a complex language employed by Babylonian scholars, Babylonian culture, mathematics, science, and the magic arts.

They would also dine on the delicacies and wine served from the king’s table. At the completion of their training, they would come into full service of the king.

Four of the exiles from Judah were Daniel (whose name means “God is my judge”), Mishael (“Who is like God?”), Hananiah (“Yahweh is gracious”), and Azariah (“Yahweh is my helper”). As part of their assimilation into Babylonian culture, they were stripped of their God-honoring names and given new names that referenced the pagan gods of the land. They were then called Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

Although their names were changed, Daniel and his three friends were determined to remain loyal to God.

Their first challenge arose when presented with the rich foods from the king’s table – foods that had been sacrificed to idols. To eat these foods would signify their loyalty to the pagan gods, and the four of them were unwilling to do that. So Daniel humbly and diplomatically inquired of the chief official if they might instead be given a diet of vegetables with only water to drink.

The official refused, fearing that if the young men were to grow thin and weak, the blame would fall and him. He would suffer the consequence and be executed.

Daniel then took his case to the guard assigned to him, requesting a ten-day trial period of the special diet. God had stirred the heart of this guard to give favor to the four friends because of the consistent witness of their good character and model behavior. They had so impacted him with their integrity and excellence, he agreed to the trial.

At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his friends were healthier and better nourished than all the other young men. So they were allowed to continue the special diet.

The four young men demonstrated remarkable aptitude in their education. When they were finally presented to King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel and Company so impressed him with their knowledge and understanding, they were immediately elevated to positions of influence and service above his existing staff.

You see, long before the four found themselves as nobility-in-training in a foreign land, they had resolved to stay true to God at all costs. When the time for testing came, their determination didn’t waiver.

And before that moment came, these four young men had been trained by moms and dads in the ways of the One True God. Long before the test, there was a testimony passed down from a parent to a child about the reliability, worthiness, and goodness of Yahweh. The commitment and everyday faithfulness of these moms and dads prepared their sons to stand firm in their own faith when the culture around them threatened to swallow them up.

Every time your children enter a “foreign land” – a new school, a new friend group, a new extracurricular activity – the book of Daniel provides you with a playbook to help them successfully and faithfully navigate uncharted waters.

Encourage your children to learn all they can about this new territory. Remind them to look for opportunities to serve others. Spur them on to strive for excellence and to live with integrity. Teach them to pray for God to use them and help them to make a difference in the lives of the people in their new surroundings. God will gladly guide and support your children as they exhibit genuine care and wisdom, and take a stand for Him.

Faithfulness to God is peculiar in this world, but it has the potential to make a godly impact. Remember that the God over us is God over all. He uses even culture to accomplish His will. Your children can function in – and even lead – our culture if they pledge their loyalty to God alone. Teach them to trust His protection when they boldly take a stand for Him. He can use your children to bring blessing to the world if His ways are of first importance in their hearts.

Friend, school is in session at your house. Teach them by your example.