Making Resolves

Ever since I first learned of Daniel, he has struck me as a man of impeccable character. I am reading through the first chapter and already see his character shining brightly.

Nebuchadnezzar comes against Jerusalem and besieges it. He takes captive some of the youth that seem good to him. He will have them taught and trained in the literature and ways of the Chaldeans. In three years, the youth will stand before the King. Daniel is one of the youth that were taken captive.

Right out of the shoot, Daniel sets himself apart by making a resolve against the food and drink that is placed before him. He is assigned a daily portion of the food and wine that the king himself ate. Daniel says "uh huh," "I am not eating that," "it will defile me." Daniel asks the person who is overseeing him to give him vegetables and water instead.

Was Daniel promoting vegetarianism? I think not, as this seems a modern idea. Was it wrong for Daniel to drink wine? No, because nowhere in the law of the Jewish Scriptures was this prohibited. Whatever Daniels reason for obtaining from that particular food and drink was I am not sure. What does strike me though is the resolve he makes in his heart.

Are you a person who makes resolves. A resolve is a stake in the ground on some issue. It stems from a conviction in the mind and emotions of a person. It says "that is not even an option for me to do 'X'."

My wife and I were at a Desiring God conference where Sinclair Ferguson was speaking. He opened his Bible to the book of First John and started making resolves. Everywhere there was a command, or some kind of exhortation, he personalized it into a resolve.

I am wishy-washy on a lot of issues. I do not like that I am, though I trust God will continue to sanctify me more into the image of Jesus. Maybe you are like me in some way and need to think about making more resolves for yourself.