DON’T GIVE UP
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
Often, there’s the tendency for young Christians to be overcome and overrun by the culture around them. For some of us, it becomes easier to simply give up trying to hold on to biblical principles and go along with the flow. But should we?
Daniel was a young man who would not compromise and would not quit. In the very first chapter of his book, Daniel states to the chief of the eunuchs that he would not defile himself by eating the King’s meat (Daniel 1:8). His boss was reluctant, but Daniel was determined. He would not give up. Finally, his boss “consented” to a test to see if Daniel’s diet would suffice.
The single characteristic of those who succeed in the challenges of life is the element of consistency, of not giving up.
The single characteristic of those who succeed in the challenges of life is the element of consistency, of not giving up. Joseph, in an Egyptian dungeon, did not give up. Paul, in a Philippian jail, did not give up. Daniel, in Babylonian captivity, did not give up. And God did not forget any of them.
So often in a culture that is crumbling like ours, we’re tempted to ask, “Where is God?” He was there with Daniel and He is here with us. Note that God had brought Daniel into the favour and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs (Daniel 1:9). Note also that God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom (Daniel 1:17). God was in control of every one of Daniel’s circumstances and situations.
When we establish standards like Daniel, God shows up on our side. Daniel had purposed in his heart. Daniel had made his choice. Daniel had set his mind. In the very next verse we find God intervening. It was not Daniel’s stand that influenced the chief of the eunuchs, it was God Himself.
When we establish standards like Daniel, God shows up on our side.
Many of us are prone to give up what we stand for when we are out in the culture. Some of us seem to be geared to think that if we do not compromise we might lose our position or even our promotion. Daniel had figured out who he wanted on his side. It was not his boss, it was his God. He knew the truth of Proverbs 16:7,
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
So, what is the point? If we’re going somewhere in life we need to learn some lessons from our friend Daniel. We should live our lives in such a way that they line up with the Word of God and please him in the process. And then we can watch Him work on those around us as he did in Daniel’s day.
Oh that we could grasp Daniel’s spirit! He purposed in his heart. This is not a guy trying to prove something to someone with a bunch of self-righteousness. This was no show. This was from his heart. There are some who don’t give in and are resistant but who become caustic and crude when trying to resist a culture. The Bible reminds us that a soft answer turns away wrath. Daniel has a disarming way about him that honours God. He not only calls upon us saying “Don’t give in, be resistant,” but he challenges us by saying, “Don’t give up, be consistent!”
