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...Daniel...said to the guard... “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink..." At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food (Daniel1:8, 11,15).
Lord God Almighty, You are Father, Savior, Deliverer. You are Guide, Wisdom, Protector. You have promised to honor those who honor You (1 Samuel 2:30).
Father in our world of shortcuts and compromises, keep us focused on the the importance of integrity, and holiness, and righteousness. The psalmist reminds us that You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed (Psalm 119:4). And the apostle John gives us additional insight and reassurance:
In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world (1 John 5:3-4).
Sovereign Lord, even when the opposing forces of this world seem overwhelmingly powerful, even when those who call on Your name are defenseless and vulnerable, You are our strength, You are our power, You are our defense. Daniel was sure of this, and experienced the reality of Your promise, The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense” (Isaiah 12:2).
Captive in a foreign land, a political exile at the mercy of a ruthless ruler, Daniel resolved to honor You—resolved to abstain from the corrupting and defiling delicacies of hedonistic Babylon. Strong in Your strength, confident in Your faithfulness, he dared to reject the powerful and prevailing norms.
Father, we too, are surrounded by the defiling and corrupting influences of Babylon. Remind us that we are foreigners and strangers on earth (Hebrews 11:13). Give us the courage, the faith, the resolve of Daniel. Strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being (Ephesians 3:16).
Give us wisdom, tact and diplomacy. Teach us the balance of acknowledging and respecting earthly rule even as we choose to honor You— even as we resolve to decline the defiling fare from the tables of power, authority and control. And give us discernment so we do not use misguided human premises to thwart authority.
Guard our hearts against the enticements of power and hedonism. Purify our tastes and our appetites. Help us to crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it we may grow up in our salvation (1 Peter 2:2).
We commit to You our health and our nourishment. Make us, like Daniel, strong in Your strength, confident in Your faithfulness. Give us the confidence that You will prosper our souls with the bread of angels as we decline the feasts of depravity and corruption. Help us to trust that You will honor us as we honor You.
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