Daniel 1:8 Faithful Living in a Faithless World

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. 

The Book of Daniel is set during the Babylonian Captivity. Daniel was a teenager when he was deported out of his homeland in Jerusalem in 605 B.C. He was among the first group of exiles deported from their homeland. The invading Babylonian army besieged Jerusalem and finally destroyed it and the Temple in 586 B.C. 

The name Daniel means, “God is my judge” or “judge of God.” He lived up to the responsible name by which he was called. He lived a godly, upright life in a crooked world. God approved him by calling him a man greatly beloved (Daniel 10:19). He fully exemplified one who lived in the world but is not of the world. He held on to his precious identity as a child of God to reflect the glory and testimony of the living and true God.

His consecration began at an early age when he first arrived in Babylon. He 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. The word “purposed”, in the perfect tense signifying completed action, means “set, determine, fix”. His conviction to be an obedient child of God was fixed and settled. Daniel determined in his young heart to be dedicated, committed and devoted to his God. Daniel made up his mind in advance he will be loyal to God. He settled it in his heart what he will do and what he will not do. He will not defile or contaminate himself with the pollutions of the idolatrous Babylonian culture that he found himself captive. He made a commitment in his heart to spiritual purity. It was a step of separation unto holiness.

A godly example for God’s people today, Dare to be a Daniel! Amen.