Walk in Obedience Even When it is Unpopular.

Daily Devotional

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

When obedience becomes your lifestyle, it will no longer be seen as optional. The truth is,you will go out of your way to live by the word of God.

When the people of Judah were taken captive by the Babylonians in the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Daniel, Shedrach, Meschach and Abendego were among those who were brought to Babylon. Soon after they were brought to Babylon they were selected for 3 years of training to enable them to serve in the King’s palace. As part of the requirement, they were to be served a portion of the King’s meat and wine as part of their daily provision. However, Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys did not want to eat the  King’s meat: one possible reason for that is that they may have feared that the King’s meat may have been sacrificed to idols. Eating such food would contravene the word of God. As a result, they were ready and willing to go out of their way to ensure that they obeyed the word of God. They requested that instead of the King’s meat they would have vegetables and water daily. It was not easy for Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys to do this for a couple of reasons. Firstly, the King’s food was the best of the best, but they were willing to give it up anyway. Secondly, they had to go against the wishes of the King and norms of the day, but for them their obedience to God was of greater importance. 

What would have inspired Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys to make this radical move? They understood that obedience is a lifestyle and not just something that you do when it is convenient. Because they saw it as a lifestyle they were willing to repeatedly go out of their way to do what the word of God says. Adopting such an approach, will require great sacrifice and can you unpopular, but you will be better off for it: Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys’ decision to go out of their way made them better off than their counterparts; after only 10 days they looked fairer and fatter in flesh than the others while, more importantly, maintaining favour with God.

Life Application: Choose to make obedience to God a lifestyle and not something that you do when it is comfortable to do so.

Prayer: Lord, you have stated in your word that obedience is better than sacrifice signaling how important it is to you. Help me to walk in obedience to you even when it’s unpopular. In Jesus name,amen.