Convicted to Resolve

"Daniel's resolve...demanded something from him daily. Had his decision been easy, it wouldn't have demanded resolve... Godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. Both stem from up-front, daily resolve."

Beth Moore, Daniel, p. 24-25

I just finished my first week of homework for Beth Moore's, Daniel, study. What a powerful message she packed into this 12 week study! In a nutshell, Beth looks at the character and integrity of Daniel as an example for how we should live our lives. She compares at how the kingdom of Babylon, which is where Daniel was held captive by King Nebuchadezzar, is similar to cities within the USA.

In Beth's opinion, Babylon isn't just a city; it is also a mentality adopted by our culture. She points to in Isaiah 47:10, which is written about Babylon's fall, as a prime example, "But your wisdom and knowledge has led you astray, and you said, 'I am the only one, and there is no other.'" I agree with Beth, that we are living in a world that believes in serving me, myself, and I. We're obesessed with immediately satisfying the desires of the flesh.

Beth has challenged that it is time to just say "no"...because we can. This idea, that is it okay to say no...because we can...struck home pretty dramatically. It is right in line with my mission to Live Well, sponsored by Christian Women Online. I admit, it has been a struggle to attain the goals I set for myself a few weeks ago, in this post. But I am not giving up. Reading chapter one of Daniel over and over again this week has only increased my resolve.

Interestingly enough, one of the things that set Daniel apart happened to do with food. When he was brought into the King's training, as a captive and not as a free young man, he refused to eat the food the was being offered. According to Beth, he had two reasons: one, in the Hebrew culture, sharing food at a table was a symbol of friendship, and two, he did not want to defile himself with food that was against the Judaic law. Daniel's decision to not eat the food set him apart and was a continually reminder/symbol that he did not belong to the culture, the city of Babylon, or the king.

I've decided, thanks to a challenge from Beth Moore, to ask God to help me be like Daniel. It all begins, for me, with resolve, especially in the area of food. I have great resolve in other areas of my life, when I can keep the temptations afar. But with food, I'll fail miserably. In the past six months, it has become quite clear to me that I am basically addicted to sweets and carbs. Yes, the sin of gluttony is my issue. It takes a huge dose of will power to say no when offered, and I often find a reason why I should, rather than why I shouldn't. I turn to sweets for comfort, for reward, for satisfaction. I hardly ever say no. It is a health issue, for me as a well, not just a spiritual one.

And so, I am going to take the opportunity through this study of Daniel to practice a little resolve in the area of food. I want to be like Daniel, and I believe, with the Lord's strength, I can determine to do this.

“But Daniel was determined (resolved-NIV) not to defile himself by eating the food and wine give to them by the king.” Daniel 1:8 NLT

Lord, I am determined (resolved) not to defile myself by eating cakes, cookies, desserts, candy, muffins, ice cream, which is offered daily by the world, as my source of comfort and reward…

“Please test us for ten days, see how we look compares to the other young men eating the king’s food.” Daniel 1:12

Lord, please test me for ten days, beginning today, Sunday, September 23, 2007, until Tuesday, October 1, 2007.

“When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The King talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel...” Daniel 1:18-19

Lord, I pray that when this training period is complete, that I will have victory in this area and the confidence to know that I can say NO in the future. I pray that I will learn that I do not need to be a slave to food nor find my source of comfort in it any longer. In Jesus’ Name.

"Daniel's resolve...demanded something from him daily. Had his decision been easy, it wouldn't have demanded resolve... Godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. Both stem from up-front, daily resolve."

Beth Moore, Daniel, p. 24-25

I'd love your support and accountability, which is why I've written about this publicly. Feel free to leave a comment and challenge me in this area. And if you want to partner in this short 10-day training period, even if yours is not related to food, post about it at your blog and leave a link using Mister Linky, so that I can support you, too.

UPDATED 10/3/07: Click here to read about how I did on this challenge!