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- Oct 26, 2007
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But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8 ESV
Daniel likely wasn’t even twenty years of age when he was taken prisoner and carted off to Babylon. That’s part of what makes his step into the unshaken so impressive. He respectfully challenged the order of the vanquishing king, who wanted some of his prisoners to eat a rich and expensive diet. It sounded generous and welcoming, but Daniel knew God’s menu for His people, and the food the king offered didn’t line up with what God approved.
Has it become easy for you to match your decisions with the cultural environment in which you find yourself? Have the opinions of others become more important than God’s rules? Have you sacrificed God’s best in an effort to avoid confrontation?
You can take a step in an unshaken direction by pre-deciding how you will respond in situations where your values are challenged. If you determine your actions ahead of time, your final choice will reflect God’s heart.
Prayer: God, I don’t have to be a man who makes continual mistakes in order to learn that following You is a good choice. I can start early and stay close to You. I don’t have to be old to be wise. I don’t have to sin to know it’s a bad choice.
Daniel likely wasn’t even twenty years of age when he was taken prisoner and carted off to Babylon. That’s part of what makes his step into the unshaken so impressive. He respectfully challenged the order of the vanquishing king, who wanted some of his prisoners to eat a rich and expensive diet. It sounded generous and welcoming, but Daniel knew God’s menu for His people, and the food the king offered didn’t line up with what God approved.
Has it become easy for you to match your decisions with the cultural environment in which you find yourself? Have the opinions of others become more important than God’s rules? Have you sacrificed God’s best in an effort to avoid confrontation?
You can take a step in an unshaken direction by pre-deciding how you will respond in situations where your values are challenged. If you determine your actions ahead of time, your final choice will reflect God’s heart.
Prayer: God, I don’t have to be a man who makes continual mistakes in order to learn that following You is a good choice. I can start early and stay close to You. I don’t have to be old to be wise. I don’t have to sin to know it’s a bad choice.
