“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” – This verse shows that Daniel was resolved not to eat the food he was offered by the king. We don’t really know why, but we can imagine that he knew that by accepting the king’s food and drink, he was going to make the first step towards depending on his gifts and favours. My brother, my sister, even though Daniel was in a culture that did not honour God, he still obeyed God’s laws. What we should learn from Daniel today is that he was DETERMINED and he made up his mind not to defile himself, thus he was being true to a lifelong determination to do what was right and not to give in to the pressures around him. My friend, as Christians, we, too, are often assaulted by pressures to compromise our standards and live more like the world around us. Merely wanting or preferring God’s will and way is not enough to stand against the onslaught of temptation. But let us insist on one thing: it is easier to resist temptation if and when you have thought through your convictions before temptation arises. Daniel and his friends had made their decision to be faithful to the laws of God before they were faced with the king’s delicacies, so they did not hesitate to stick with their convictions. Most of the time we get into trouble because we have not previously decided where to draw the line. So, my friend, before such situations arise, always make sure you have decided on your commitments and what you will do. Then when temptation comes, you will always be ready to say no. But do not presume of your strength, because you are not alone: unlike Daniel, you know Jesus, and He has given you a comforter who dwells in you and can help you resist temptation… Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.
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