JANUARY 15 Scripture: Daniel 1:8 The intent with the delicacies of food and drink written of in Daniel 1:5 was to ensure that the men who would go on to be Nebuchadnezzar’s advisors would be as healthy in body and mind as possible and that their wisdom might be of benefit to the king. Daniel and his friends sought to obey the Jewish food laws for conscience sake. God honored their plan by proving God’s ways are higher than man’s. Daniel 1:8 says, “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. Daniel didn’t want to partake in the pleasures that the culture had to offer, knowing that it would defile him. There is a parallel here that the church is missing. When we are called to be in the world, we are also warned to avoid being of the world. If Daniel’s story were to be written in modern terms, Daniel would not merely be rejecting an overabundance of food and drink, or items sacrificed to idols, he would be rejecting the latest videogames, the most popular TV shows and movies, and would refuse to listen to most modern music. Our eyes and ears, after all, are the gateway to our spirit. What we ‘nourish’ ourselves on is of immeasurable importance. The world’s tasty delicacies may look appealing but are they full of decay!