June 19, 2021
Convictions
Imagine you were invited to eat at a dinner featuring all of the best foods in the world. The choicest cuts of meat, the freshest vegetables, the most decadent sauces, the tastiest recipes. And can you even imagine the desserts? Then imagine that this food was available to you every day….three meals a day. Even better…it was free.
When you read Daniel 1, we see that this was exactly the opportunity placed in front of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
However, for them, this perk was actually a problem because he food and wine that they were being offered were against Hebrew dietary restrictions. Eating this food would be disobedience to God. And yet it had to be tempting. I mean, the food was FANTASTIC.
Obeying God’s Laws also presented another problem: The king told them to eat the food. If they caused a problem, they could have lost their position, been put in jail, or even been killed.
Still, these men stood by their convictions and would not eat the food.
Talk about standing by your convictions!
They put it all on the line as they resisted temptation, remained faithful to God despite their circumstances, obeyed God. Today, they stand as an example for us all what it means to be a man or woman of conviction.
They challenge us to follow their lead and obey God no matter what the cost.
All around us, there are opportunities to abandon God’s ways and fall into sin. Sometimes the temptation is real. Sin is pleasurable, even if only for a moment. We face the temptation to “sample” sin every day.
Other times we are tempted to compromise to make things easier. Who wants to stir the waters? Why take the risk of losing friendships, family members, Junebe losing a job, or a promotion at work? When following your convictions means walking a hard road, it’s always tempting to compromise and take an easier path.
In each of these situations, we have a choice. We can compromise and disobey God, or we can follow the example of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, go for broke and say, “I must obey God.”
Memory Verse: But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. (Daniel 1:8, NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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