Daniel 1:3-8, NKJV 3 “Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego. 8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.“
Here we see Daniel and his friends in captivity. The king has ordered them to be given food from his own table, which was unclean according to Jewish standards.
Daniel makes a commitment to Jehovah and to eat nothing that is not acceptable to what God had told them. Your commitment to God, like Daniel’s commitment, must always be based on Biblical principles.
As we see Daniel making a commitment to God’s ways, let us also discover how to make a commitment to God’s ways.
1. COMMITMENT COMES BY YOUR CHOICE, NOT YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.
- We must start by making commitments in the little things
- Daniel chose not to eat the wrong food. This may seem insignificant in itself.
- However, that commitment prepared him for future trials and tests…
- Example: Daniel chose to maintain his prayer life and survived a night in the lion’s den.
2. COMMITMENT DEPENDS ON YOUR CHARACTER, NOT YOUR GIFTS OR ABILITIES.
- Too often in our society gifts and talents are the basis for promotion.
- But in God’s kingdom, our godly character will enable us to make a godly commitment.
- Daniel chose to develop his character, and it helped him keep his commitment to walk with God.
- Our commitments now will help us to stay on track in the difficult times.
3. COMMITMENT WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH TIMES OF DIFFICULTY.
- Daniel made this commitment in a time of great difficulty.
- Difficulties will come to us all sooner or later.
- Our commitments now will help us to stay on track in the difficult times.
Today, God is asking us to make a commitment to Him.
You can choose to make a commitment to God today. Your godly character will enable you to make that commitment to God.
God has great things for you and me–but He is waiting for our commitment to Him!
Will you make that commitment today?
