JAN 28

Daniel 1:5-8
Memorise Daniel 1:8
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…”

ARE YOU RESOLVED AGAINST TEMPTATION?

King Nebuchadnezzar set aside a portion of his meat and the very wine he drank for a select chosen children of Israel. The very best food and drink was to nourish them. The pressure on Daniel to submit here was twofold. First of all, it was the King himself who gave this command. What right did Daniel have, as a lowly captive, to defy the man who had absolute control over his life and death? Secondly, this meat and wine would have been the very best in the land. It would have been delicious and of the best quality. Daniel would have had to suppress his natural appetite and desire to eat it. It would have been all too easy to just obey Nebuchadnezzar, please the King and satisfy the appetite. After all, one has to eat right? You’d be a fool to disobey the King, risk your life and waste such good food! Instead Daniel purposes – actively resolve and determines in his heart – not to damage the purity of his body by eating the King’s food. As a Jew, this would be unfit for him to eat, for it would have been slaughtered and offered in idolatrous worship to the Babylonian gods. Such food would also likely be considered unclean according to Mosaic law. Eating the meat and drinking the wine would not reflect a life given to God, rather one given to idols. We also see the wisdom in Daniel’s testimony in dealing with this temptation. He ‘requests’ to the official, politely and firmly for permission not to eat the meat.

Daniel exhibited courage to defy the King’s wishes. He also died to self – not worrying about his physical needs. He had faith. Not only did Daniel withstand temptation, but by doing so He glorified God and proved to the King and his people that God was greater than them and Daniel himself. How was he able to do it? It was because he had a firm conviction and resolved that he will not allow himself to be defiled, but that he will always stand on the side of the Lord. As a result, he was able to use the temptation and turned it around for God’s glory!

To overcome temptations takes faith, and the exercise of faith requires courage and sacrifice. Are you willing? Are you resolved and determined? Will you too, like Daniel, purpose in your heart not to be defiled by the ways of this wicked world?

Thought: Read Matthew 16:24-27
Prayer: May I purpose in my heart not to succumb to temptation and have the wisdom to use temptation for Your glory.