ESOCS Devotional 23 August 2025 – Deliberate Decision
MEMORY VERSE: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” Daniel 1:8
TEXT: DANIEL 1:1-14
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the articles of the house of God, which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the articles into the treasure house of his god.
3 Then the king instructed Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, to bring some of the children of Israel and some of the king’s descendants and some of the nobles, 4 young men in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. 5 And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king. 6 Now from among those of the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 To them the chief of the eunuchs gave names: he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and [c]goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to [d]the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
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The decision you make determines the outcome of your destiny. It is not possible to arrive at the right destination with the wrong decision. Therefore, it is imperative that anyone who must have a fulfilled destiny must walk on the pathway of right decision. It is important we note that decision making is not a product of the anointing but a conscious action. Decisions must be deliberate and precise. This was the state of Daniel in the king’s palace after they were brought to learn the language of the Chaldeans. He desperately and deliberately resolved never to defile himself with the strange food served in the king’s palace, eventually his outcome was tremendous (Dan. 1:18-21).
This is a wake-up call to us as believers to also be deliberate in decision making. Here are some of the recommendations:
- Decision against defilement: Our body is the temple of God and whoever defiles it will be judged (1 Cor. 6:15-20). Therefore, we must not defile our body in sexual immorality (fornication, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, pornography, etc.). We must not also defile it with idol worship, for God is a jealous God (Exod. 20:3-5). Don’t defile it with alcohol, taking of cigarette and hard drugs. Don’t defile it with lust and evil thought. Make a deliberate decision never to defile your body, as it is God’s temple.
- Decision against fraudulence: In a system where people defraud others in business and other transactions, including the church of God, offices and others, there is no basis for morality to thrive. As Christians, we should not participate in such unwholesome practice. Daniel also had this attitude (Dan. 6:1-3).
- Decision against wickedness: The virtue of love appears to be fading away and being replaced with hatred. But we must shine the light of love again, and make up our minds never to exist in hatred, bitterness, animosity, enmity and wickedness. We must resolve to forgive one another, no matter what they have done. Never be wicked to anyone. It is a decision we must take.
- Decision for eternity: Amidst every decision you take in life, you should decide never to spend eternity in hell fire. Yes! It is real. Decide never to end in the lake that burns with fire. There is a place of enjoyment called Heaven. Decide to go there. It will surely payoff on the last day. Remember, your decision determines your destination and destiny in life, be wise today.
CHALLENGES
- Be decisive today against anything that is evil, and to live and be a blessing to your generation.
PRAYER POINT
- Father, thank you for your word, forgive my wrong decisions. I repent of them. Amen.
FURTHER READING: Malachi 2:13-17; 3:1-7; Romans 14:13-21; 15:1-1
ESOCS Devotional 23 August 2025
