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Difficult Trials Are Faced Best with Prior Resolve

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. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, "I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king." Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see." So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave themvegetables (Daniel 1:8-16 ESV).

Here was a temptation of great magnitude. Daniel’s nation has been captured by the Babylonians, a situation in which the conquered people are often put into forced labor of the worst kind or slaughtered.

However, Daniel and his friends had been selected for special treatment (Daniel 1:1-7). They were to be groomed, trained, and eventually serve in the King’s palace. This was a great opportunity to endure the Babylonian captivity with only the suffering of mind that comes with a lack of freedom. This is not a small thing to endure, but clearly better than say, working the salt mines or death.

There was one problem though. The King had ordered the chief eunuch to feed Daniel and his friends the king’s delicacies and wine, which would cause Daniel to defile himself.

How many times do God’s children face this temptation, the easy way out? A little compromise and Daniel had an easy life in the king’s service.

However, it was not to be that easy because Daniel had purposed not to defile himself with the king’s food. Notice this decision was made before his fate was known. Likely, any opposition to the king would have brought, at best, a removal from his favored position, and at worst death. But, Daniel had already resolved to obey his eternal King and not Nebuchadnezzar.

While having resolved not to defile himself, he did not abandon all hope. Instead of just saying no, he requested a test be made. He knew that the king’s desired outcome was that the young men be strong and healthy. The king’s way to that end was to feed them rich food high in fat and wine. Daniel knew that a good diet of vegetables and water would make them fair better than those who ate the king’s delicacies.

In this case, Daniel’s request was honored; he and the other young men did not defile themselves or die.

Finding a godly way out often requires one to have absolute resolve before facing a temptation. If a believer is resolved not to sin, then no time is wasted rationalizing partial obedience, which is just a polite way to say sin. To sin was not an option for Daniel. He would rather die than defile himself.

Beloved, let us resolve now to walk in holiness. If you set your heart upon obedience, then the temptations you face today will be more obvious to you. Much of the gray will disappear, and your mind will search more intensely for ways to obey God as you honor your authorities. Remember, real resolve means you do the right thing no matter the consequences. However, like Daniel, don’t have a martyr’s complex, but seek wisdom from above (James 1:2-8). In many cases, the way of escape is there if we will just look (1 Corinthians 10:13).