APR 28

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

King Nebuchadnezzar set aside a portion of his meat and the very wine he drank for a select group of 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 his appetite. After all, one had to eat, right? It was also foolish to disobey the King, risk his life and waste such good food! However, Daniel purposed – actively resolved and determined in his heart – not to defile himself by eating the king’s food. As a Jew, the food would not have been fit for him to eat, for it would have been slaughtered and offered in idolatrous worship to the Babylonian gods. Such food would also likely to have been 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 made a request to the official, politely and firmly, for permission not to eat the meat.

Daniel exhibited courage in defying the King’s wishes. He also died to self by not worrying about his physical needs. He had faith. Daniel withstood temptation, and 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? He had firm conviction and resolved that he would not allow himself to be defiled, but that he would 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.