The Daily Word: Wednesday, November 25th, 2020
Daniel 1:1-2:23
1 Peter 3:8-4:6
Psalm 119:65-80
Proverbs 28:14
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. – Dan. 1:8
Jerusalem was overrun by Babylon. But in the midst of captivity, Daniel found favor. The king of Babylon thought Daniel had “ability to serve in the king’s palace.” So the king offered him the finest food and wine in all of Babylon along with “three years training” (v 5) so that Daniel would be ready for a position in the king’s administration.
Daniel was offered the best Babylon had to offer! But he refused. He “would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank.” Daniel refused to spoil and comfort himself with the pleasures of this world. Why? Because it would take his eyes off God.
Love for this world corrupts the love of the Father in you (1 John 2:15). Daniel was a man of prayer. He, “knelt down on his knees three times [a] day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God” (Dan. 6:10). Daniel’s pleasure was in the Lord! And he refused to partake of any delicacy that would challenge the reality that God was the sweetest thing in Daniel’s life.
If it will distract you from God, say no. If it will make you love the world more, say no! You are not of this world. You are a child of the King of Heaven. Do not defile yourself with anything that indicates anything less.
Prayer:
Father, my joy is in You! My hope is in You. You are the sweetest One, and there is no pleasure of this world that can compete with You. I refuse to be defiled with the portions of this world. I will live for my reward in Heaven, in Jesus’ name!!
© Michael D. White, 2020. All rights reserved.