Jack County Cowboy Church

The king's choice food must have been very tempting. The group of young men that Daniel belonged to had been through quite a time of trouble. What would cause Daniel to resolve not to "defile" himself? The phrase "not to defile himself" is more literally translated "set upon his heart" in expressing Daniel's passion in his resolve. He brings his case to the man in charge of preparing the group of young men for the king's service and wins a ten day trial for a diet of vegetables and water for himself and his friends. After those days are completed Daniel and his three companions are reported to appear in better shape than those who continued to eat the king's choice food. Daniel, Shadrach, Mishach and Abed-nego would impress the King and serve the kingdom for many years. But the foundation was their resolve to maintain themselves to God's standards. Daniel's friends would be thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to obey the command of the King to worship his golden image. Later, Daniel would spend a night in the lion's den for breaking the law put forward by Daniel's enemies requiring only the King be worshiped during a 30 day period. Daniel continued to pray to the Lord three times a day. God closed the mouths of the lions and Daniel was pulled from the den unharmed. It makes me look hard at myself and wonder if I were confronted with death in the lion's den how strong would my faith be? The simple alternative would be to not worship at all for 30 days. Daniel would not accept those terms. Why should I? Daniel's friends where not certain that they would survive the furnace, but they where sure of God's ability to preserve them either way.