Do Right!

⁸But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the winewhich he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. ⁹Now God had broughtDaniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. (Daniel 1.8-9)

     Here we see the beginning of Daniel's live in Captivity. It was during the third reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah that the King of Babylon came and captured Jerusalem. It was during  this attack that Daniel and many others were taken prisoners. 

      Nebuchadnezzar had chosen Daniel and others to study in their schools and to become servants in his courts. As we see in verse 8, Daniel was in the habit of deciding to do right even before the temptation to do wrong happened. In this chapter Daniel was being offered the best meats and drinks for his diet. You may ask what is wrong with eating those things offered to him. Well, these were items that Jewish people would normally not eat because of the Jewish Laws. God had stated that there were certain things He did not want them to eat.

      Daniel had one of two choices, give in and eat what the king had offered them or obey God and risk being killed. It was possible that refusing the food would offend the King. What would you do? Well, Daniel very kindly refused but made a deal with his master. He and the master agreed that for a time Daniel and his friends would eat "pulse" and drink water. At the end of that time if they did not look healthier than the others, they would eat the meat and drink the wine. The amazing part was that God had Daniel and his friends be healthier than all the others and God was glorified. Daniel was permitted not to eat the meat or drink the wine.  And he was able to keep his testimony in front of his masters. 

     What about you today? When do you decide to do right? Before the temptations come? Or while they are happening? If you wait until the temptations happen chances are that you will give into them. Today we need to decide to do right no matter what is happening around us.  As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. used to say "Do right until the Stars fall."