READ: Daniel 1,2; Psalms 147; 1 Peter 3
SCRIPTURE: Daniel 1: 8 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.
OBSERVATION: An ancient proverb says, “live like a Roman in Rome.” If somebody tries
to live differently, others will criticize or advise such a person to accept
and follow the accepted practice of the land. If someone is firm to stick with
his/her convictions and dare to stand alone to go against the common practice,
people would say that such person is mad, who does not know how to live. People
who lived around Daniel would have told such things about him when he became
determined to refuse the royal food. Daniel and his friends were among the men chosen
for the three years of special training to serve the king. Although these young
Jewish men belonged to the royal and noble families, at that time, they were
exiles and had no power. However, Daniel “resolved not to defile himself” with the food from king Nebuchadnezzar. We
should remember that this bold decision was not just for one day. So, the fear
of Ashpenaz, the chief of the emperor’s court official, is understandable. But
God “caused the official to show favor” to Daniel. When we make godly decisions
and face questions of fear and the future, God helps us accomplish our godly
pursuits.
Throughout the
Bible, we read many such godly men and women of God who were determined not to
defile themselves by the world. They refused to compromise their godly life and
received God’s favor and strength to overcome all the trials of their life. For
example, Joseph said, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against
God?” (Gen.39:9). In Hebrews 11, we see a list of great people of God who lived
by faith. When a friend of D.L. Moody told him, “It remains to be seen what God
will do with a man who gives himself up wholly to Him,” he resolved to himself to
be such a man to live for God. History tells us what God did through Moody. In
our lives, we may face various temptations and situations that could lead us to
compromise our Christian values. Such times, as John MacArthur says, “Don’t
compromise and let God take your life and do with it as He pleases, and it may
it be ten times greater than the life of anyone in this world.” God did not
forsake Daniel and his friends. They were “healthier and better nourished” than
any others. We should not conform to the pattern of this world (Rom.12:2). When
we make a decision to honor God and his word, he gives us the strength to do it.
Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
APPLICATION: I can live for God and pursue a godly life even
when I live in unfriendly environments. The one who is in me is greater than
the one who is in the world (1 Jn.4:4). When I remain in Christ, and his words
remain in me, he enables me to be fruitful (Jn.15:7-8). Holy Spirit gives me
the power to overcome the temptations of the world (Gal.5:16). “The life I now
live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
himself for me” (Gal.2:20).
PRAYER: Father God, thank you for your grace and power to
live for you in the ungodly world. Jesus, thank you for overcoming the world
for us. Holy Spirit, fill me with your power
to be a witness of Christ everywhere and every day. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573
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