Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Daniel 1:16, “Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.”

Background

There is one particular sales division in our office that cleans up when it comes to Christmas gifts from customers. Once December rolls around, the packages begin showing up, and the goodies inside are wonderful. Almost anything imaginable that can be dipped in chocolate eventually appears, and some of the candies they get are as good as anything you might taste all year. Yesterday was especially ridiculous regarding food. That sales division was overflowing with chocolate delights to the point of putting them out in the kitchen for all to eat, one of the VP’s brought in several dozen doughnuts for everyone in the office to devour, and then we had a huge cake that afternoon as we enjoyed a celebration for one of our employees. One of my co-workers returned Tuesday from being out of town for a few days, and he said he needed to lose the few pounds he gained while away. Well, as the waves of sweets kept rolling in, that plan sank like the Titanic. Indeed, trying to diet during the Christmas season sounds like someone’s idea of torture.

Application

But as Daniel and his cohorts were brought into the training of the king of Babylon, they chose to do something that might sound just as ridiculous. They decided to forego all of the delicacies that were made available to them by the king himself, instead choosing to eat only vegetables and drink only water. For three years they were going to be able to lap up all that the king’s kitchen could provide, but they chose not to defile themselves before God, but rather to eat simply as most of the people of the land would eat. It sounds like self-inflicted torture, or at least completely illogical. But God chose to honor them and their decision. The stance they made didn’t appear to make sense, but when the king examined them after three years, he determined that they were ten times better than all the other magicians and astrologers in his court. God may be calling you to diet amidst the sweets, so to speak. But if He is in it, whatever it is, then you can do it. Let that be the delicacy of your heart.

Charge

As we seek Him today, talk with God about that difficult challenge He has called you to. Admit your inabilities, and ask Him to give you the strength and wisdom that is ten times that of yourself.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words