Consider Daniel

I was lying in bed one evening, talking with my wife about my body’s need for healing. I had been dealing with high blood sugar levels and high blood pressure—things that shouldn’t be afflicting a son of the Kingdom. I knew  Jesus' blood was not weak. I knew His promises in Psalm 91 were for me. I had declared them, stood on them, and believed them.

 

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation.”

(Psalm 91:16)

 

But if His promises are true—and I know they are—why was I struggling with these issues? I also knew His burden is easy, and His yoke is light (Matthew 11:30). If that were true, why couldn’t I have victory in this area?

 

I was wrestling with these questions when, within minutes of me asking the Lord, I heard Him speak.

 

“Herb, consider Daniel.”

 

It was so clear, so direct, and yet so full of love. Then He continued:

 

“Daniel had to not eat certain foods to show himself superior to Babylon’s men. I’m trying to get your attention. The food you eat is poisonous. It’s manipulated by evil men for money. It is Babylon’s food. If you consider Daniel and the food he ate, I will restore you and your health unto Me. I’m not simply after your healing; I’m after long life.”

 

That word struck deep. I knew in an instant that I had been missing something. Healing is part of the promise, yes—but long life is tied to what we put in our bodies. The food we eat matters. It always has.

 

The Babylonian Table vs. the Kingdom Table

 

We live in a world that tempts us daily with foods that are killing us. The shelves of our stores are lined with highly processed, chemically altered, genetically modified substances designed for profit, not for nourishment. The system behind it—this Babylonian food system—cares nothing for your health. It serves the god of money, not the God of life.

 

But what if we stopped eating at Babylon’s table? What if we did what Daniel did?

 

Daniel was a young man taken into Babylonian captivity, offered the rich, indulgent foods of the king’s table. He could have eaten what everyone else was eating. He could have enjoyed the meats, the wine, the delicacies of empire. But he chose something different. He chose to set himself apart.

 

“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.” (Daniel 1:8)

 

Daniel requested only vegetables and water. He and his friends refused Babylon’s food, and after just ten days, their health was visibly superior to everyone else in the king’s court (Daniel 1:12-15).

 

But this wasn’t just about diet. It was about allegiance. Daniel refused to be dependent on Babylon for his strength. He knew that true wisdom, vitality, and favor came from the Lord. And because of his faithfulness, God gave Daniel and his friends knowledge, understanding, and ten times more wisdom than the king’s best men (Daniel 1:17-20).

 

The Foods We Eat Matter to God

 

The food we consume isn’t just fuel—it’s a statement of who and what we trust. The enemy has always sought to corrupt what God calls good. Just as the serpent tempted Eve with something to eat, today’s world tempts us with food that looks good, tastes good, and satisfies our cravings but ultimately brings destruction.

 

God is not just after our momentary healing. He is after long life—life that is strong, healthy, and full of purpose. But we must choose His table over Babylon’s.

 

I had been praying for healing, but I had been feeding my body things that were designed to break it down. I wanted divine restoration, but I had been trusting the world’s food system instead of the wisdom of the King. Healing isn’t just about faith—it’s about obedience.

 

When the Lord spoke to me that night, He was inviting me into something greater. He wasn’t withholding healing; He was revealing a key to overcoming. He was calling me to step out of Babylon’s food system and into Kingdom provision.

 

Overcoming by Surrendering to His Food

 

God has always intended for His people to be set apart—even in what we eat. The world’s system is built on greed, but the Kingdom is built on life and abundance. When we eat according to His wisdom, we are not only honoring our bodies, but we are making a statement:

 

“I trust my King’s provision over the world’s deception.”

 

Daniel’s victory over Babylon began with what he ate. My victory over sickness and disease began with the same realization. And your victory may very well start here too.

 

This is not about legalism. It’s about alignment. It’s about recognizing that what we consume affects our ability to thrive, serve, and fulfill Kingdom purpose. It’s about trusting God with our health, not just our prayers.

 

The challenge is before you: Will you consider Daniel?

 

Will you continue eating what the world offers, or will you trust that God’s way is better? Will you surrender even your diet to the Lord and allow Him to restore you unto Himself?

 

The choice is yours. But as for me, I’m choosing the King’s table.