Day 16 — Daniel’s Decision

“But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.”

— Daniel 1:8 (BSB)

When Daniel was a teenager, the powerful king of Babylon attacked Jerusalem. He took many young people from Israel’s best families back to Babylon, far from home. Daniel and his three friends were among them.

The king wanted to turn these young people into Babylonians. He gave them new names. He had them study Babylonian language and learning. And he gave them food and wine from his own royal table.

But for Daniel, there was a problem. Eating the king’s food would mean breaking God’s law. Maybe some of it was food God had told His people not to eat, or maybe it had been offered to false gods. So Daniel had a choice: go along with everyone else, or stay faithful to God.

Look at what the verse says: “Daniel made up his mind.” Daniel decided ahead of time. He didn’t wait until the plate was in front of him and his stomach was growling. He settled it in his heart first.

That’s one of the smartest things you can do. Decide before the pressure comes. If you wait until someone offers you something wrong, or until everyone’s laughing at a mean joke, it’s much harder to say no. But if you’ve already made up your mind, you just stick to your decision.

Notice something else: Daniel was respectful. He didn’t throw a fit or insult anyone. He “asked the chief official for permission.” He even suggested a test: let us eat only vegetables and water for ten days, and then see how we look.

At the end of ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than everyone who ate the king’s food! And God gave them wisdom and understanding. When the king tested them, they were ten times better than all the other wise men in the kingdom.

Daniel was far from home, with no parents around to tell him what to do. But he stayed faithful, because he had made up his mind to follow God.

Think about it: What are some decisions you could make now, before you’re in a situation where you’ll be pressured?

Try this: Write down three things you’ve “made up your mind” about, like “I will not cheat” or “I will not make fun of people.” Sign your name underneath.

Dear God, thank You for Daniel’s example. Help me make up my mind ahead of time to follow You. When I’m far from home or when no one is watching, help me stay faithful. And help me be respectful even when I say no. In Jesus’ name, Amen.