I usually stick my foot or hand in to test the water out before I get into a pool, spa, shower, bath, the ocean, or any other body of water. My wife teases me, but I am a real girly man when it comes to getting into cold water. Often times the temperature of the water helps me make up my mind if I want to get in or not. I am much more likely to get into the water if its going to make me feel good and bring me some pleasure.
In the book of Daniel we see a similar test given to the obedience of God’s will. Daniel wanted to obey God so he petitioned the commander of the officials to permit him to abstain from eating and drinking what the king had provided. In fear of his life, the commander asked Daniel to eat what the king had provided or else Daniel might look worse than all the other youths. In response Daniel made a deal with the commander so that the waters could be tested. Daniel said…
“Please test your servants for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance be observed in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter and tested them for ten days. (Daniel 1:12-14)
When the ten day test ended the commanded saw that Daniel’s appearance seemed better than the others who were eating the kings meals (Daniel 1:15). So, having tested the waters the Commander realized it was a good thing for Daniel to obey God and assisted him in continuing in his godly diet.
We can learn many things from this small section of scripture but one truth really stands out to me. The fact that a non-believer witnessed the benefits of obeying God’s will by putting it to the test. There are many commandments that God has given that go against the flow of society. Society says fornicate, God says don’t. Society says get drunk, God says don’t. Society says put yourself above others, God says put others above yourself. The list of contrasts between God’s will and what society promotes is pretty lengthy. With so many contrasting points of view I would encourage Christians to urge the naysayers to test the water out. Put God’s commandments to the test. Stop getting drunk for a month and see if there are benefits. Stop fornicating for a year and see if your life is affected in a good way. Make an effort to put others before yourselves for a week and see if your life is easier. Test the water out.
Many in today’s society view God’s word as burdensome, hard, and depressing. Those that have already tested the water and jumped in shout, “come in, the water is great!”. How can we help those in the world to better understand that the ways of the Lord are better than the ways of the world? One way is by urging them to test the water out and obey God’s will for a time to see the benefits that come from it.
