Jerusalem was conquered by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Of the young men taken captive those who seemed stronger and more skillful than others were set apart to serve in the king’s palace. They were taught the “literature and language of the Chaldeans” and groomed for service. During this time, their diet consisted of food taken from the king’s menu, food that had been first offered to pagan gods. “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). He made the request for himself and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, to be excluded from the king’s provisions and given nothing more than vegetables to eat and water to drink. Concerned how they would compare with the other captives, the chief of the eunuchs agreed to evaluate them after ten days. Daniel was confident that if he resolved to do what was right and remained pure, the Lord would bless him. The evidence of the Lord’s blessing was undeniable.
When faced with what looks good, with what seems inevitable and unavoidable, how do we respond? Daniel could have rationalized his feasting on the king’s provisions and enjoyed the taste of good food; he could have concluded that he had no other option. However, righteousness was more important than consensus; purity of greater value than self-indulgence. When faced with temptation to “defile” ourselves, to make choices which are contrary to the Word of God and His design, to fall into the footsteps of the seemingly inescapable path of sin, might we stand firm for Christ; might we be willing to choose holiness and to live honestly as a child of God over popularity and conformity with others. May we be resolved to not defile ourselves in any way, to do nothing to hinder our relationship with Jesus Christ or our usefulness to Hm; may we ever keep our eyes focused on Jesus.
I am resolved no longer to linger,
Charmed by the world’s delight,
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
I am resolved to go to the Savior,
Leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true One, He is the just One,
He hath the words of life.
I am resolved to follow the Savior,
Faithful and true each day;
Heed what He sayeth, do what He willeth,
He is the living Way.
I am resolved to enter the kingdom
Leaving the paths of sin;
Friends may oppose me, foes may beset me,
Still will I enter in.
I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay,
Taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
We’ll walk the heav’nly way.
Palmer Hartsough
Resolved to follow the Lord – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry Burlingame
My Morning Desk 