When Daniel is invited to dine at the king’s table he turns down the offer. Instead of eating food and wine fit for a king, Daniel and the other Hebrew boys settle on a diet of vegetables and water (Dan 1:12).

Daniel’s decision contradicts human nature. When a good situation comes along we often jump at the chance. Yet in doing so, we may fail to consider the ramifications. Daniel knows that eating at the king’s table means compromising God’s commands against eating certain foods. So when he’s offered a great opportunity, he is bold enough to say no and to offer an alternative (Dan 1:10–14). Daniel knows that God will provide for those who love Him. He also knows that being in God’s will is more important than anything else, even if it means facing opposition and loss.

Daniel’s example has many practical applications for us today. When we’re faced with the promises of this world, how do we react? Do we boldly pursue money, fame, or power? Or do we deny these things for the sake of following God’s will? The purpose to which we’ve been called is too important to be set aside for things that will fade over time. We must be willing to face opposition boldly instead of pursuing what the world has to offer.

Even when we have to depend on a miracle—as Daniel depended on God to keep him healthy when others were eating better food—we must make God’s will the priority. No matter how difficult it becomes, we have to seek God’s will. When we consider that our relationship with God is eternal, what matters is not the opinion of one king, or our bosses or our friends but the opinion of the King of the universe.

What opportunities do you have that are not God’s will?

Edited