DANIEL'S RESOLVE

Daniel 1:6-20

The phrase "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine" (v.8) implies to me he was not happy with his name change and those of his fellow Jewish brothers (v.7). 

God rewarded Daniel's resolve not to defile himself by causing the official to show "favor and sympathy to Daniel" (v.9), by supporting Daniel in a ten-day test of a particular diet, and by giving "knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning" (v.17), plus the understanding of "visions and dreams of all kinds" (v.17) to Daniel.

Daniel found what he could control and dedicated that to God.  In the midst of Daniel's captivity in Babylon and after a recent slap-in-the-face name change, God honored Daniel's resolve and Daniel's concern for the official's life.  The official was afraid that the diet would make the Jewish men appear undernourished, therefore his life would be required of him by the king.  But Daniel set up the ten-day test with him and God supernaturally honored this concern.  Great knowledge and understanding were granted Daniel and his team.  So rewarded was Daniel that the Scripture says,

"In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom." (v.20)

Imagine how God may choose to reward us if we will gut-out of our lives that which is defiling, ugly, sinful, and non-eternally productive to and for God.  He has got an awesome plan for our lives and when we learn to get out of the way or at least remove defilements so He can move through us, life is much more meaningful!