The seemingly small decisions you make in your life set the trajectory for all that will follow. Jesus taught that those who are faithful in little things will be faithful in much (Luke 16:10). Daniel was a teenager who was taken captive to a foreign country to be indoctrinated in the ways of Babylon. He was given food to eat that violated his beliefs. Some people may consider this to be a small matter, but Daniel viewed this as compromising his convictions of right and wrong. He could have compromised his beliefs, but he held fast to his convictions.. Let’s examine Daniel’s approach:

But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)

Daniel literally purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. He made the decision to remain true to his God before he encountered the situation. We may know something is true and believe it is important; however, it may not be a conviction. When you’ re faced with a tempting dessert, you know that it may be unhealthy for you and you had planned not to eat it, but the tantalizing delicacy proves to be too much for your will power. That was the dilemma Daniel faced, and if he did not eat the food that was set before him, it could cost him his life.

The decision he made set the course for his entire life. One of the reasons why we succumb to questionable practices is because we lack the conviction of our beliefs. Daniel was tactful in his approach as he sought the permission from the commander. He wasn’t demanding, but he made a request through the appropriate chain of command. Daniel maintained his convictions throughout his life. Even in his old age, Daniel remained faithful to God:

When others could find no fault in Daniel they made a law that would force Daniel to compromise his beliefs. Daniel remained true to his God:

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. (Daniel 6:10)

Daniel continued to worship God, even under the threat of death. He maintained his convictions and God rewarded his faithfulness. The Babylonians could change everything external in Daniel’s life – his location, his education, his language, and even his name; but they couldn’t change his heart. We discover that we make our decisions and then our decisions make us. We live in a world with values that are antithetical to God’s ways. We must purpose in our hearts to be faithful to God.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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