Daniel Purposed in his Heart
Daniel was taken into captivity from Israel into Babylon
when he was a young man. Daniel was strong, healthy, and well favored. He
understood all wisdom, was gifted in knowledge, and understood how to express
his thoughts. He had the strength it would take to stand in the king's palace.
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had designs on Daniel’s
life to mold him into the heathen ways of the Babylonians.
Daniel was given a new name, Belteshazzar, which honored a
pagan Babylonian god. The king’s plan was to teach Daniel the learning and the
language of the Chaldeans. He would be given food and wine from the kings
table. As a Jew, to eat this non-kosher food would be breaking God’s
commandment.
Daniel 1:8 KJV - But Daniel purposed in his heart that he
would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine
which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself.
With the temptation to ‘go with the program’ and not resist
in order to live for God, God made a way of escape for Daniel.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is
common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above
that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that
ye may be able to bear it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
God gave Daniel favor with the prince of the eunuchs so he
could to get a substitute diet.
"Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love
with the prince of the eunuchs." - Daniel 1:9 KJV [And God gave Daniel
favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs]
Even in a strange and pagan country and circumstances,
Daniel served God. Even though we live in a world that most of the time is not
serving God, He can give us favor, and will not allow us to be tempted above
what we can handle. With the temptation, God will make a way to escape so we
can bear it.
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