But Daniel determined in his heart that he would not defile himself by eating his portion of the king’s rich and dainty food or by drinking the wine which he drank, therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might be allowed not to defile himself. Daniel 1:8
Life point: The blessings of wholehearted commitment!
Because of their sins against the Lord, the nation of Judah was carried away into captivity in Babylon . There some of the most promising young men, including Daniel and three of his friends were chosen to become attendants to the Babylonian king.
As part of their three year period of training and preparation these young men were supposed to follow a diet of rich meat and wine provided from the king’s table.
Daniel and his friends had apparently made a commitment to God concerning their diet and determined that they would not defile themselves by eating the king’s food and drinking his wine. They asked the eunuch if it would be possible for them to follow their own diet of vegetables and water.
The Bible tells us that the Lord gave them favor and compassion with the eunuch, who agreed to allow them to follow their diet as long as it did not harm them. Of course not only did it not harm them, it made them stronger and healthier than all the other young men in training as royal attendants . In fact the king was so impressed by their wisdom that he chose them out of all the young men to serve as his trusted counselors. Daniel 1:10-20
Daniel and his friends had the opportunity to eat rich and dainty food from the king’s table.
You and I have similar opportunities to defile ourselves today, especially in the area of entertainment. We can be defiled by the ungodly influences of social media or movies we watch or the music we listen to. We can also defile ourselves by compromising and going along with friends who are making wrong choices.
What was the key to Daniel and his friends success?
They followed God with their whole heart and refused to compromise and as a result God gave them wisdom, skill and favor.
Child of God are you willing to be like Daniel and his friends? Determine not to defile your self.
Prayer:
Ask God to help you make godly choices and stay faithful to Him.
