11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink.13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days.
15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.
Daniel 1:8-16
If you drive down a dangerous road, you will notice that on the side, there are guardrails. These are placed before you get to a place of danger, in order to keep you safe and to protect you from harm.
Living in a foreign culture, Daniel was immediately challenged with what he would and wouldn’t do. It is not clear why the meat and wine was problematic for Daniel. Historians offer a few suggestions: it could have been that the food was part of idol worship, or that they ate prohibited animals (such as pork) or the wine was made stronger and led to drunkenness. It is not clear what Daniel saw as the problem but he decided that this was a line that he was not willing to cross.
We guard things that are valuable and vulnerable. Billy Graham famously was careful of this relationship with women. Eric Liddel, chose not to compete in the 100m at the Olympics because it was on a Sunday and that day was holy for him. They knew what their guardrails were. Sometimes a weakness needs additional protection because we know the damage that can be caused in our lives. Other times, it is something valuable that we need to guard. For Daniel, it is clear that it is his worship that matters to him. He is willing to compromise his experience, his comfort and his reputation but he will not compromise his worship.
We live in a world that tells us that the greatest life is the one without boundaries. However, a lack of limits lead you to a compromised and vulnerable life. Limits can protect us.
Reflect
- In your walk with God, what are your lines of no compromise?
- What is the cost/danger/destination of crossing them?
Respond
Lord, I am sorry for when I have set aside my worship and relationship with you for the sake of other things. I want you to be at the centre of my life and for my activities to bring you praise and glory. I give it all to you. Amen.
