Daniel 1:8 

New International Version (NIV)

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.

For Meditation

The heart of the true child of God is the fear to offend His holiness. It is the fertile ground in which integrity flourishes.

We make resolutions every day to honor God, but fail to follow through them. We fail because we don’t take the necessary steps to ensure obedience as Daniel did. The fear of what we may lose often becomes our worst enemy when we stand to make righteous decisions. Daniel didn’t allow that fear to cripple him. He boldly requested permission to abstain from the royal delicacies apportioned to him by Nebuchadnezzar for their grooming (Dan. 1:9). Unlike what most young men would’ve done, Daniel did not delight himself in them. His main priority was to honor God and His holiness.

The truth is, when a person’s heart is truly after God to honor and glorify Him, they take the necessary steps to do so, despite the perceived obstacles. The obedient child of God is a person of faith. That faith is the agent that carries them along the difficult and treacherous path to glory. Their motivation is the glory of God, and their energy is the grace of God that faith delivers. Nothing stops them until the Father is glorified in their obedience. That is the Daniel example that must challenge us today.

Somehow, however, our minds are fixated on what Daniel requested and received from Ashpenaz, the chief officer, without giving proper attention to the heart and effort that initiated it. People call it the Daniel Fast. I personally do not accept that proposition, no matter how one defines fasting. I suggest, rather, that we see it as a conscious effort to avoid defilement – a strategic move by Daniel to remain true to his faith. It was a bold step against temptation. If anyone can call Joseph’s refusal of Mrs. Potiphar’s entreaties as fasting, then I may consider the Daniel example in that light. But that’s for another time.

The world is presenting so much to believers that appeal to the flesh. They sparkle and seem harmless, but they either seek to take us away from a serious commitment to holiness, or to move us towards outright sin. Unfortunately, our insensitivity to the Holy Spirit favors their proposals, so we easily fall for them, but they are the enemy’s favorite tactics to weaken the saint and the church.

Just as Gethsemane was key to the victory on Calvary, so is our determination to honor God at every point of temptation. It’s a prerequisite for the right action towards spiritual victory.

So, may you focus on the holiness of God always and strive to avoid everything that defiles and hinders your Christian growth. The grace of God is available to carry you, if your heart truly seeks to honor Christ our Lord.

Shalom