But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. — Daniel 1:8 (NIV)

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. — Daniel 1:8 (KJV)

On Sunday, Pastor spoke about the power of a made-up mind. He spoke about the exiles who had returned and how they faced opposition in building the walls. But in spite of their challenges, they had a mind to work under the leadership of Nehemiah. They were resolved, determined to get the wall up — and in the end, the assignment was completed in a short time.

We too must have that determination to do what the Lord has called us to do and to stand firm in our resolve.

The book of Daniel is set when they were in exile. They were Hebrew, and a lot of the young men, were brought by King Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon. They chose those special ones — they were handsome, they were young, and fit.

Daniel had to have that made-up mind, even as he was in a foreign land. He purposed in his heart not to defile himself by eating the king’s food. That was because he knew the Mosaic Law — how the Lord forbade them from eating certain foods. He was a Jewish boy, so certain things they were forbidden to eat. In Babylon they served many gods, and some of these foods were offered up to these deities. So that was against the Law of God. Daniel purposed in his heart. We live in a world that is trying to conform us to its standards, but we as children of God — the salt and the light — have to resolve in our minds to stand firm in the Word of God, so that His Word can be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. The standard by which we live must be governed by the Word of God and not by the world’s standards.

We too — myself included, and the next generation behind us — must have that resolve, that firm foundation which is the Word of God. We must know the standard by which God has called us to live and have that firm determination, even like the song said, to go all the way with the Lord.

I believe that while they were on their way to Babylon, being exiled, Daniel must have had certain things settled in his heart. It’s like when you send your child away to college. You want something to be placed in them before they leave home — that they’re not going to go party, not going to do drugs. There have to be some lines they will not cross because they’ve been taught. So I believe Daniel, in his youth, had things embedded into him as a young man. So when he got to Babylon, he was able to stay the course, to purpose in his heart, and to stand firm.

When we refer to Daniel and the three Hebrew boys, we often refer to them by their Babylonian names — Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. But that’s not their Hebrew names — that’s their Babylonian names. Even though their names were changed, their identity in God did not change. They were resolved. Even when they went into the fiery furnace, they said, “Even if God does not deliver us, we will still serve our God.” They were committed to God. You and I too have to be committed to God.

As I look at Daniel — because he purposed in his heart not to defile himself by partaking of the things of Babylon — the Word of God says he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. He wasn’t arrogant. He wasn’t rude. He didn’t go in saying, “I’m not listening.” He respectfully requested not to partake of the food. Verse 9 says that God brought Daniel into favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.

Because he purposed in his heart, God granted him the desire. God granted him favor. When we purpose in our hearts not to go astray, not to defile the things of God, God will empower us with the help of the Holy Spirit, and He will give us favor. Because Daniel resolved and had that firm determination, the Word of God lets us know Daniel had an excellent spirit. God gave him wisdom. If he had partaken of the food, we might not be reading about Daniel today. But because he resolved, we are able to learn from his example.

In the New Testament, we have the apostle Paul who writes in Philippians 3: “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead…”

If you read Philippians 3:4–7, he talks about how he was circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin. If you know anything about the tribe of Benjamin — the first king, King Saul, came from that tribe. Paul says he was a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee. He knew the Law. We know that Paul was a great persecutor of the Church, but he was determined to forget those things behind because God had called him. Because of his encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ on the Damascus road, he was resolved to preach the Gospel — whether in prison, bound or free. Paul was resolved in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We ought to be firm. Daniel was in an environment like ours today. He and his friends made up their minds, even before they got to Babylon. We too have to make up our minds as we face challenges and trials Pastor talks about. Even as he gave the example of people who believed in their product and would not compromise with the “sharks” — these multi-millionaires — we too must be resolved. We have the greatest “product” — we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We get to tell the world about Jesus, how He came to save the lost and died for them. We get to be representatives, ambassadors of Christ, compelling men and women to come into the Kingdom of God. So we cannot compromise. We must resolve.

Daniel didn’t have control over everything — like his name being changed — but he took a stand. He said, in effect, I’m not eating this food.” I don’t know what the Lord is calling you to be resolved about, and you don’t know what the Lord is calling me to be resolved about — but because he stood for God, because he made that determination, the Lord stood with him.

In order for you and I to be resolved, we must have a firm foundation in the Word of God. We have Bible study, 6 a.m. prayer, Sunday services, C.A.R.E ministry, and teaching — that’s how we get that firm resolve. That’s how we will be able to withstand.

The world is trying to conform us, and especially the younger generation. Social media tries to give them theie identity, but their identity must be found in the Word of God — what God says about them, not what the world says. We must renew our minds daily, as Romans says, by the renewing of our minds. That’s how we will be able to stand firm.

We must know that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Daniel knew that. We know that the Holy Spirit dwells in us. So we must resolve, not only with what we eat, but with what we allow through our eye gate and ear gate. We must let the Word of God be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.

The psalmist said, “Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” When we make the Word of God our firm foundation, we will have that resolve to go on.

We must exercise self-discipline. It’s going to take discipline like any athlete. You have to train daily. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy, but we have the help of the Lord.

Pastor also spoke about the doctrine of concurrence. I thought about Joseph — when Potiphar’s wife came after him, he said, “How can I do this wicked thing and sin against my God?” We must have that same resolve. Whatever the enemy tries to tempt us with or lure us with — whatever he puts in our path — we must remember our God.

Maybe your resolve is to be the salt and light wherever you are — the Lord will empower you through the Holy Spirit. Maybe it is to be a peacemaker. The Word of God says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” Maybe it is to walk in unity, bearing with one another. Whatever resolve you endeavor to walk in, know that with the help of the Holy Spirit you can do it. We have to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Remember the faithfulness of God. The same God that granted Daniel favor will grant us favor.

We must be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Let our resolve be a life-long commitment. Even as we come to the close of 2025, whatever your resolve is, let it be firm, let it be purposeful. Have a made-up mind to go all the way with the Lord, no matter what. Amen.

Father God, we thank You. We thank You, God, for Your Word that says You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. We thank You, God, that the same God who helped Daniel is the same God that we serve. We thank You that we have the additional benefit of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives to do Your will and good pleasure. Father, we pray that we will have made-up minds to go all the way. Help us to draw the line whenever challenges come — to know that we can call upon You. Your Word says You are a present help in time of trouble, that You will show us the way of escape with every temptation we face.

So help us to be firm in our resolve to go all the way with You, God. Thank You that You are with us. You promised You will never leave us nor forsake us. Help us to have that same resolve to go all the way with You.

Father, we thank You and we praise You. We thank You in advance for hearing the cry of Your people and moving on their behalf. In Jesus’ name I pray, with thanksgiving. Amen, amen, amen.