“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
Daniel, being that he came from the house and line of David, could have justified his decision as ‘being worthy’ to partake in eating the royal food and wine, but he does not. He was cautious in that the food being served to him may have been consecrated to idols. Though he most likely preferred meat over vegetables, and like most young men, was ready to indulge in a well prepared meal, he was able to remain steadfast and obedient in following the Lord’s statutes.
Daniel avoided defiling himself with sin, and that too, should be our fear, not the outward trouble that follows. It is easier to resist temptation at a distance, instead of trying to defy it when it is near. I am reminded of James 1:14 – “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed”. James eludes to the fact that there is a movement or a dragging away from what we know to be right and being brought into the presence of evil, and then needing to deny sin when it is up close, staring us in the face.
May we purpose our heart as Daniel, being resolved to not defile ourselves, and removing that which tempts us.
Lock Your Wings 
This stood out for me: ““Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said.”
Daniel 1:12 NLT
We used a strategy with our kids that would allow them to appeal a decision we had made if they brought us new information. Daniel used a similar strategy here where he appealed to the supervisor to allow him to try it for 10 days to see if it worked. Let us not be so set in our ways that new (better) ways impede our ability to let go of stubbornness.
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