It has been a great joy to move from Ezekiel to the book of Daniel, it was some rough sledding for awhile. Do keep in mind that all of God's Word is inspired, every word on every page...however it is not all equally inspiring! Did you catch that? It is ALL equally inspired, but it is not equally inspiring. For me that means that I must press on after God equally in every verse, but every verse will not impact me the same way and that is ok! Don't feel guilty about not enjoying all of God's Word, but prayerfully press through every word crying out to God to reveal HIMSELF to you through every word...for HIS glory and your joy in HIM.
In Daniel 1:8 I believe that the key is that we see Daniel resolve not to defile himself. "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself." Much like Daniel, today in America we find ourselves living in a culture where it is incredibly difficult to live a life set apart, undefiled, to God. We must begin each day with resolve and our choices made during our time with God in the morning. The only way we can do what Daniel did is living out of a vibrant, healthy, intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ...it is the Spirit-filled life. Will we stumble, will we fall, will we make mistakes? Absolutely, yes...we live by repentance and faith, repentance and faith...the stride of walking by faith is a cadence of repentance and faith...faith in the one true God!
We witness this same resolve in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:17-18, "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” These three young men entrust themselves completely to God!
Christians living in the 1st century faced flames of another sort. We know that Nero used Christians as human torches to light his banquets, they were burned alive for their faith in Christ. In 1 Pe 4:12, Peter seeks to encourage Christians, telling them..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." We should not be surprised if we find ourselves walking through affliction, walking though painful and difficult trials...as a matter of fact we should anticipate and expect trials to test our faith...we should expect the refiners fire to touch our lives. How do we respond in the middle of the affliction? We receive our answer in 1 Peter 4:19 "Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."
In Isaiah 43 we see flames again...what I love about Isaiah 43 is that God passionately exclaims "I have called you by name, you are mine." I know and rest in the fact that I am HIS, I was bought at a price, an incredible price...the blood of HIS Son. I cling to the promise that when I pass through the waters and when I pass through the fire I will not be overwhelmed and I will not be burned...because HE is with me! Notice that it says when you pass through...not IF you pass! We will pass through the fire...the question is how will we respond...will we fail the test or will we resolve and determine not to be defiled?
Isa 43:1-3 But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.