Resolve

In my Pastor’s absence, I preach this Sunday.  I intend to bring a message from Daniel Chapter One on the topic of “Resolve.”  In verse 8, the scripture reads,

⁸ 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.

After the Babylonian Empire whisked many of the people of Judah into captivity, the King ordered that some of the best and brightest of the young captive males be enrolled in an indoctrination program, preparing them to be future leaders.  The officials handpicked Daniel, Hanniah, Mishael, and Azariah to participate in the three year training.  And in so choosing, we see modeled the term, resolve.

The King requested that each young man be instructed in the language and culture.  He also ordered that the prospective leaders eat food from the royal table.  Daniel refused to defile himself with the royal food and wine.

So, what’s the big deal with the food and drink?  He expressed this resolve,

“partly because it might consist of what was forbidden by the law of Moses, as the flesh of unclean creatures, particularly swine, and fat and blood, and so defile himself in a ceremonial sense; and partly because, though it might be food in itself lawful to be eaten, yet part of it being first offered to their idol “Bel”, as was usual, and the whole blessed in his name, it would have been against his conscience, and a defiling of that, to eat of things offered to, or blessed in the name of, an idol.” (Gill’s Commentary)

Daniel stood resolved.  God blessed Daniel and his friends.

This week I thought of another Daniel.  Dan Cathy.  In a society that shuns a person for ignoring political correctness, he stayed true to the Word of God.  Yesterday, Chick-Fil-A set a world record for sales.  God blessed.

The Enemy easily rallies numbers to propagate immorality.  Yesterday, the church “circled its wagons,” so to speak.  Ofttimes Christians shy away from controversy for fear of rocking the boat and/or going out on a limb all alone.  Dan Cathy shared his personal convictions, knowing a backlash loomed.  Thankfully, millions of people stood behind Mr. Cathy.

Though it’s not easy traveling the road less traveled, God blesses those who remain true to His Word.