Daniel 1:8

Daniel 1:8 says, 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.  Instead of counting himself fortunate to be given the portion of the king's food and drink, Daniel knew that they would defile his relationship with God and even with the other children of Judah.  We cannot feast on the riches of the world if it will defile our relationship with God or our identity as His followers.  Verse nine adds, Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. I believe that God was still at work in Daniel's life because Daniel was remaining true to God.  Had Daniel simply felt that he was fortunate and gone along with the king's plan, I don't believe that God would have been at work in his life.  We cannot follow the world and follow God as well.  Verse ten continues, And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.  Though the prince of the eunuchs liked Daniel, he feared the king more.  He was worried about what would happen to him if Daniel and his friends didn't eat and drink and looked bad when presented to the king.  There may be people today who like us, but if our beliefs as followers of Christ somehow threaten them or their position, they will quickly cast us aside to preserve their status.  Verse eleven states, Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,  Daniel did not simply refuse to eat no matter what, but he was willing to talk to Melzar, the prince of the eunuchs about a compromise.  Daniel was not compromising his beliefs but was simply proposing a way for his friends and himself to remain true to God without causing harm to Melzar.  Though we cannot compromise our faith, we do not need to go out of our way to bring harm to those who are not followers of Christ.   Verse twelve adds, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.  Daniel proposed a test.  He and his friends were to be given pulse and water for then days.  Today we might say bread and water.  I wonder how many people, if taken captive and called to live in the king's palace and eat his food would decline the food for fear of poluting themselves spiritually.  Verse thirteen continues, Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.  Daniel told Melzar to examine them after ten days compared to those who did eat and drink the the king's food and drink.  Daniel had to have faith that God would keep them strong if they remained faithful to Him.  We cannot compromise our faith for our own benefit but must decide before temptation comes to remain true to God with the knowledge that He will provide for us.  Verse fourteen says, So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. Melzar consented, which took some faith on his part.  Verse fifteen adds, And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.  God rewarded their faith, and indirectly that of Melzar also.  When we stand firm for God, those around us will notice and be impacted by our faith, whether they acknowledge it or not.  We might say that still Daniel and the others doomed themselves to a lifetime of bread and water, but that was unimportant.  Remaining true to their faith in God was what mattered.