Daniel 1:8-9

Daniel 1:8-9 (ESV): “8 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. 9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs.”

Since the fall of man, the world has been a place of defilement. Yet, we can choose to remain pure in Christ, and God will bless that decision or we can walk in the ways of the world.  The choice is yours.

As a young man, Daniel—along with many others—was taken captive and brought to Babylon. He was selected to be among the wise men who served the king. However, there was a problem with the food; it was considered unclean according to Jewish law. Daniel spoke with the chief eunuch and requested permission to abstain from the royal diet for religious reasons. Because Daniel chose to remain pure, God granted him favor, and the eunuch allowed him and his companions to eat only vegetables on a trial basis. After ten days, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier and stronger than all the others, so their diet was approved for the entire group of wise men.

Did you know you have a choice in how you respond to the corruption of this world? You are not a product of your environment but of your choices. You must choose to come to Christ, and you must choose to walk with Christ. If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit dwells within you—He has regenerated you to live for Jesus. So, Christian, choose wisely how you walk. The world is a dark place, but we can choose to remain pure before the Lord, and He will honor that decision. Amen?

Father, help us to choose You daily and not the old man. Keep us from our wicked ways and grant us wisdom as we live in this world. May You be glorified in our lives just as You were in Daniel’s. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.