“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.” (Daniel 1:8)
Daniel, a young Jewish man living in captivity in Babylon, had a problem. As one of the young men in the king’s training program, he was expected to eat the king’s food and drink the king’s wine. The problem: Jews who followed God’s law didn’t eat or drink those things.
The easiest choice by far would have been for Daniel and his friends to just do as they were told. After all, they were being treated well. They could have rationalized: “What has God done for us? We’re slaves, after all. At least the king is taking care of us.”
Daniel, maybe about 16 years old, didn’t see it that way. He still trusted God enough to risk his life by asking to opt out of the king’s diet. He would not compromise convictions to make his life easier.
Think: What are some of the ways you have been tempted to compromise your convictions to just get along? Do you think you would have Daniel’s courage in his situation?
Pray: Thank God for Daniel’s courage. Ask him to help you to be courageous like that.
Do: Take a tiny survey: Ask 3 friends what they think they might have done in Daniel’s situation.