DETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

TOPIC: Determined to Make a Difference

TEXT: Dan. 1:8: "But Daniel determined not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way."

Introduction

The passage before us shows us that for one to make a difference, one has to pay a price. In the case of Daniel, he had to make a personal decision, determining not to do what others were doing. Of course, we can't be talking about making a difference if we are doing the same thing others are doing.

The word "determine" means, among other things, "firmness of purpose" or "a firm stand". It means not to do what every other person does. In the context of the passage, there was an order from the king that these Israelite captives who were in the king's palace be fed with delicacies – food and drinks of royal standard. It was this delicacy that Daniel and his friends (Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego) resolved not to partake of What a sacrifice!

One may ask, "What was wrong with eating the food?" It is believed that being in a pagan kingdom, the food could have been offered to their shrine before they were presented. Apart from that, there is a time for everything: a time to eat and a time to fast. There is a time to subject oneself to discipline, particularly for someone that wants an outstanding walk with God.

The outcome of their decision was very interesting. They rejected the food and drinks for ten days, and consequently, they were found "ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters that were in all the kingdom" (1:21). This is not a mere coincidence. The Holy Spirit is teaching us something here: that what we put in as a sacrifice is what comes back to us. The greatness of these Hebrew boys was not by chance.

As we go through this year with the theme "Making a Difference", let it dawn on us that we have personal sacrifices to make for us to make a difference. Please take note of these three facts:

1. You cannot be doing what others are doing and expect to be different from others.

2. All the people who made a difference in their generation were people of great decisions and determination. They went the extra mile. The standard has not changed.

3. Some of the things God may want us to abstain from could actually be legitimate things, but because we have a target, we have to stay away from them. Take, for instance, the fact that it is not a sin to eat, but one has to abstain from food (fasting) as a way of seeking a deeper relationship with God.

Today, God is looking for those who will make a difference in politics, ministry, institutions, etc. God is looking for those who would say, "Others may, but I will not." May He find such persons in us. As we seek to determine to make a difference, may the example of Daniel and his three friends be a challenge to us.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, I am determined today to make a difference in my time. Cause your grace to multiply for me. Help me to stand out for you wherever I find myself. In Jesus name. Amen.