Scripture to Read: Daniel 1:8–10
In Daniel 1:8, we read how Daniel, by the strength God gave Him (Ephesians 6:10–12), took a stand against the food and drink he and his friends were supposed to eat and drink. The reason eating Nebuchadnezzar’s diet would be defiling towards God is found in Exodus 34:15: “otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice.” A Jew would never eat food sacrificed to idols because it contradicted what God decreed. Daniel knew the foods they were offered had been sacrificed to the idols of the Babylonians. Daniel made his decision, and we read in Daniel 1:9, "God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials." God loves to bless and work through sanctified vessels and sanctified lives (2 Timothy 2:21). We must crucify our fleshly desires daily so that we are usable tools for our Master. Daniel made a hard decision, and this was a hard decision for the commander too, for we read his response to Daniel in Daniel 1:10, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has appointed your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking more haggard than the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” Daniel stepped out in faith as a 15-year-old and had to trust what God had spoken through His Word.
Challenge & Application
• How did Daniel know he was not to eat the food offered to him, what was his decision about it, and why was this a huge decision?
• What does Daniel's decision reveal about him, knowing he was just 15 years old?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!