Today begins our new reading schedule. We start with the book of Daniel. Daniel covers events that are roughly parallel to the book of Jeremiah (which we read a month ago). While Jeremiah was in Jerusalem watching the spiritual and political decline of Judah, Daniel was in Babylon, having been taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC. There is much that we can learn from the life of Daniel, particularly on how to live for God in the midst of a pagan society.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)
Daniel is in a unique position. He is probably around 14-15 years old when his country is invaded and he and a few of his friends are carted away to Babylon. Babylon has one purpose in mind for its new captives–to retrain them in Babylonian ways so that they can eventually serve as leaders in Babylon. Instead of being put in prison, Daniel is given the “royal treatment.” He is wined and dined so as to break any allegiance to his former way of life. It is sort of like the world today which continually entices young people (and us) with the “pleasures” of sin.
How did Daniel respond? He purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself… It is the only way to remain pure in a degenerate society. We must make a conscious choice to resist the pull of sin, to avoid being conformed to the world. Apart from this conscious choice, we will inevitably be drawn away from God and into sin. The enticements and temptations are all around. The pull is too strong. Our own human nature is too weak. If we do not choose to resist, if we do not consecrate ourselves to the Lord, we will lose our purity. We will defile our conscience. We will enslave ourselves to sin.
I am reminded of Peter’s words in 1 Peter 2:11, Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul. I must remember that this world is not my home. I am a sojourner, a pilgrim, a citizen of heaven. I am not a Babylonian; I am a child of God. And I must choose righteousness, day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.
Lord, help me to choose You over the temptations of this world.