I Am Resolved

Daily Reading: Daniel 1

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. (Daniel 1.8)

Devotional Thought: When presented with royal delicacies from the king’s table, “Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself."  He asked instead for a diet of vegetables and water.  For a Jewish person, the food from a Gentile king would have been considered unclean.

Two quick thoughts to take from Daniel’s example:

·       First, Daniel was not practicing his faith in a vacuum.  The king's diet was imposed on three other young Jewish men as well, whose names may sound familiar:  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  These three men would later demonstrate incredible faith and obedience when facing a horrible, violent death.  Perhaps the faith and obedience of Daniel re-awakened or strengthened their own faith in the same God.  Our choices also affect the lives of those around us, showing the light of Jesus to believer and unbeliever alike.

·       Also, Daniel was bound to the Law as a matter of conviction and conscience.  But as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are no longer bound by dietary laws.  Jesus made that plain: "There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him" (Mark 7.15).  What can defile us?  You don’t have to look very far in our culture to find a myriad of things to defile both body and spirit.  If we rest on the promises and faithfulness of God, just as Daniel did, we will find the strength to obey the Lord even in the most difficult situations.

Jenny Wade

Prayer: "I am resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world's delight; things that are higher, things that are nobler,

these have allured my sight. I will hasten to Him, hasten so glad and free; Jesus, greatest, highest, I will come to Thee." Amen.  (Palmer Hartsough)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 66.1-7

1  Shout for joy to God, all the earth;

2 sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!

3 Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you.

4 All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name. ”Selah

5 Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man.

6 He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him,

7 who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations—let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah