We are up to the letter “n” in this Blogging A to Z challenge. What fun it’s been to find new ways to boost our happiness or energize our attitudes. I pray that you’ve been able to find a few ways, both physically and spiritually to live an abundant life.

As we continue through the alphabet using the article in Good Housekeeping titled “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today,”[i] Jennifer Rainey Marquez brings up the subject of healthy eating. She says that we should “nosh on fruits and vegetables.” If you’re hungry, recent research has connected improved mental well-being to eating five or more portions of fruits and vegetables per day.

Well, I hate to break it to you Ms. Marquez, but I think our biblical friend Daniel knew the importance of eating fruits and vegetables a long time ago.

Daniel, as well as a few of Daniel’s friends, was chosen by King Nebuchadnezzar to be groomed for leadership during Israel’s exile to Babylonia. Daniel and his friends were chosen because they fit the criteria.

“Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.” (Daniel 1:3-4 – NIV)

I suspect this specific criteria limited the number of young men chosen for this assignment. Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego were among this elite group. Very impressive.

What’s even more impressive is that this group of young men were also men of integrity and loyalty to Yahweh. When given the opportunity to eat and drink the king’s finest foods, they asked for “permission not to defile themselves in this way.” (Daniel 1:8 – NIV)

Instead of eating and drinking what they could have had, they chose to eat nothing but vegetables and drink nothing but water. For ten days, this was the diet of this foursome.

At the end of the test period, Daniel and his friends were found to look healthier and were better nourished than any of the other men who ate the royal food.

God recognized this sacrifice and blessed these four young men with knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And to Daniel, God gave the gift of interpreting dreams and visions of all kinds.

When brought before King Nebuchadnezzar, the king found Daniel, Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego to be ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom!

Perhaps Daniel was thrilled with the king’s response to their knowledge and wisdom, but I suspect Daniel was even more so because of God’s recognition of Daniel’s faithfulness. Daniel lived to serve God. And God honored that dedication.

As you go through our day-to-day life, what are you noshing (eating enthusiastically)? I don’t just mean fruits and vegetables. Do you spend time noshing God’s Word? Are you noshing over the principles and precepts God has given in Scripture? I pray that you are. I pray that God is honoring your dedication and faithfulness to being with Him on a daily basis.

That’s the letter “n.” Noshing. I am blessed to say that I am heading out to go to Bible study this morning. What are you up to?

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

[i] “More Bliss, Less Stress: A to Z Happiness Boosters to Try Today,” Jennifer Rainey Marquez, Good Housekeeping, Vol. 260, No. 4, page 114.