May 13: SUCCESS!
And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Daniel 1:15
Here we see the outworking of the divine principle of cooperation with God. When the previously exhausted and malnourished captives were compared with each other at the end of [those] ten days, there was an observable difference! Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah looked better than the rest of the young Hebrew captives. Implied by the word features is their overall health, but more specifically, it referred to their countenances. The bright expressions on the faces of these four young men were accompanied by smooth complexions, and healthy color had replaced the pallor of malnourishment. Clear, shining eyes exuded a positive winsomeness. Do not be confused by the phrase fatter in flesh. The word flesh used here means muscle. Their improved muscle tone affected not only their faces but also their posture in a way that made their appearance more robust than those who partook of the king’s rich food and aged wine.
It was enough to convince the steward and the chief of the eunuchs. Now, their healthy eating and drinking was assured: Thus the steward took away their portion of the delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. (v.16)
Most of us would agree that the first ten days of any sort of dietary restriction or change for the purpose of improving health is a challenge. Our bodies are the main medium through which our minds and characters are developed. It is a fact that we have an adversary who works nonstop to present temptations that are purposefully meant to weaken and degrade our physical bodies. The tendency of our fallen nature, unless submitted to the loving Lord of Life, will dominate to the point of ruin.
This entire scenario: the trauma of the Babylonian siege, invasion, massacres, and then being captured and carried away to a far country – might convince just about anyone that “caving in” to the worldly luxuries of eating from the Babylonian king’s table would be the thing to do, under the stressful circumstances. But let us consider that our Maker has given us the power of reason, which, when submitted to His will, becomes sanctified by divine grace, that we may bear up under the pressure of temptation. Intellectual abilities, physical fortitude, and resilience depend upon immutable laws established by the Creator. It is through obedience to these laws that man may make the greatest conquest of all: that of himself! He may stand before a holy God as a conqueror of his own inclinations as well as a conqueror of principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Show the world your trust in the Lord by choosing that which is pleasing to Him – and then leave the outcome in His loving hands.
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
More encouragement to conquer: 1 Kings 8:23; Matthew 4:3-4; 7:24-25; Acts 5:29,32; Romans 6:17; Revelation 12:11