But Daniel purposed in his heart

.... that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies (Daniel 1:8). Daniel had been selected as one of the cream of the captives of Israel, to be trained in all the culture of the Chaldeans. They had even changed his name, which in the Hebrew culture meant a fundamental change of character. The assimilation also required a change of diet “the kings delicacies and his wine” (verses 3-7). But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with these things. It's not immediately clear why they would defile him. The commentators suggest it was likely because they were part of what was offered to idols. Daniel's purpose was no small thing, for to defy the king could mean death (i.e. 3:6). As Christians we are not to be conformed to the culture (Romans 12:2), and this can be a costly thing for us too. We too need to determine in our hearts not to be so conformed.  And we can learn from Daniel, something of how to go about this.  

What Daniel does not do, is to come across as self righteous and judgemental. He's also aware that his stance could get his handler into trouble (verse 10).  So he makes a request for there to be an experiment to test the superiority of his suggested diet. It seems Daniel was going to do it anyway (see 6:10 and context).  But his way is prudent, and accomplishes the same goal, for the experiment is successful,  and the steward grants Daniel's request for vegetables (verse 16). Barnes' notes suggest that it's always better, even where there is decided principle, and a settled purpose, to obtain your goal  by a peaceful request, rather than to attempt to secure it by violence.

So there are two things here, firstly we too need to settle in our hearts not to be conformed to the culture. Secondly  and we need to be wise as serpents and as harmless as doves in the way we take our stands. In some of these areas I am saying please don't do as I did, do as the Scriptures say. I have needed to repent in terms of how I conducted myself sexually, and I have gone through two divorces. But the Bible clearly tells us that sexual immorality is sin, and that God hates divorce (1 Corinthians 6:19;  Malachi 2:16). Again, there must be no self righteousness here, but we need to be clear that  abortion, euthanasia and infanticide are wrong.  I mean what really is the difference between this and the ancients sacrificing their children to Molech (Jeremiah 32:35)?  The good news, it that there is forgiveness with God (1 John 1:9). And it seems to me that we need to have abortion recovery sections in our twelve step,  and other recovery programs.

Father, I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, but I have glimpsed something of Your glory (Isaiah 6:5). Father “we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments” (Daniel 9:5). We repent Lord,  seek Your face and turn from our wicked ways, and we ask You this morning Lord,  to come and heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Thank You that with You there is mercy,  forgiveness and cleaning.  And for this, and many other things, we give Your praise  in Jesus Name Amen