Unshakeable Resolve
Unshakeable Resolve
Resolve: To find the solution. To reach a decision. To bring something to an end.
To settle a matter conclusively.
Resolve rides on the heels of conflict.
Daniel 1:8
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.
Resolve rides on the heels of conflict.
Daniel was taken from his home, stripped of his culture, renamed, and placed in a pagan environment. He was under pressure to conform — yet he resolved not to defile himself.
Daniel 1:1-21
1 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 delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8 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. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
To settle a matter conclusively.
Resolve rides on the heels of conflict.
Daniel 1:8
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.
Resolve rides on the heels of conflict.
Daniel was taken from his home, stripped of his culture, renamed, and placed in a pagan environment. He was under pressure to conform — yet he resolved not to defile himself.
Daniel 1:1-21
1 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 delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6 Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7 The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. 8 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. 9 Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel, 10 but the official told Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you.” 11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. 17 To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. 18 At the end of the time set by the king to bring them into his service, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. 21 And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.
Big Idea: My resolve must be rooted in God, because that’s where the foundation to stand firm begins.
Resistance
4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.
5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
To remove all traces of their God and make them think, live, and act like Babylonians.
It was a way of saying: “We’ve won. Your God is no longer with you.”
5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
To remove all traces of their God and make them think, live, and act like Babylonians.
It was a way of saying: “We’ve won. Your God is no longer with you.”
Identify Your Resistance
You can’t develop resolve until you identify where the resistance is.
Your pressure point reveals your opportunity to stand firm.
Your pressure point reveals your opportunity to stand firm.
2 Areas Christians Will be Tested
Obedience
Daniel made a firm decision not to compromise, even in a small way.
Faith
Daniel had faith that God would honor obedience—even when it looked risky.
Daniel 1:8 "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself..."
Daniel made a firm decision not to compromise, even in a small way.
Faith
Daniel 1:12-13 "Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.”
Daniel had faith that God would honor obedience—even when it looked risky.
Response
Daniel 1:8
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 didn’t just feel uncomfortable—he made a decision. He responded with conviction.
Response Must Have a Reason Why!
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 didn’t just feel uncomfortable—he made a decision. He responded with conviction.
Response Must Have a Reason Why!
Reasons Why Daniel Chose Not to Eat:
A. The Food May Have Been Unclean (According to Jewish Law)
Babylonians likely served pork or other meats forbidden in God’s law. To eat them would be a violation of the covenant God made with Israel.
Leviticus 11:1-8 (NKJV)
“Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying to them, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, saying, “These are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth:
B. The Food May Have Been Sacrificed to Idols
In Babylonian culture, it was common to offer food and drink to idols before consuming them. Eating that food would be participating in pagan worship.
Exodus 34:15 (NKJV)
“Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot with their gods and make sacrifice to their gods, and one of them invites you and you eat of his sacrifice.”
C. Maintaining Spiritual Integrity
More than just diet, this was about identity.
Eating the king’s food could have symbolized compromise—accepting Babylon’s culture and values.
Daniel’s choice to abstain was a bold way to say:
It was a stand for holiness and a refusal to blend in.
Eating the king’s food could have symbolized compromise—accepting Babylon’s culture and values.
Daniel’s choice to abstain was a bold way to say:
“I belong to God—not Babylon.”
It was a stand for holiness and a refusal to blend in.
Commit to Holiness
Daniel 1:8
“But Daniel resolved not to defile himself…”
Daniel was committed to holiness—even in a foreign land under pressure.
1 Peter 1:14–16 (NIV)
14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Holiness Is Our Response
- In all your ways acknowledge Him
- In all your ways acknowledge God
- Don’t conform to evil desires
- Don’t live in ignorance
Holiness is choosing God in everything—even when no one else is.
Results
Daniel 1:14-15
” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. . ..
Daniel 1:19
19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.
God Always Affirms the Faithful
” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. . ..
Daniel 1:19
19 The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service.
God Always Affirms the Faithful
- 10 Days — Healthier
- Better Nourished
- None Found Equal
- Entered the King’s Service
3 Results From God
A. Unfailing Love
No matter the pressure, God’s love will hold you firm.
B. Renewed Mercy
Even when we struggle, His mercy gives us a fresh start.
C. Continuous Grace
God gives us everything we need to stand strong in Him.
As Christians, we are called to be unshakable in two key ways:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. Arm ourselves with knowledge, both of the gospel and of the world around us
1 Peter 3:15 says,
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
All we can do is live and teach as Christ would—and then trust Him with the results.
Let’s walk like Daniel, with unshakable resolve.
Jeremiah 31:3
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”
No matter the pressure, God’s love will hold you firm.
B. Renewed Mercy
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Even when we struggle, His mercy gives us a fresh start.
C. Continuous Grace
Ephesians 1:3
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
God gives us everything we need to stand strong in Him.
As Christians, we are called to be unshakable in two key ways:
- Stand Up For Christ
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- Tell The World
- Live Christ In The World
- Glorify God In All We Do
2. Arm ourselves with knowledge, both of the gospel and of the world around us
1 Peter 3:15 says,
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
- Know the Word.
- Know your world.
- Be ready with a response full of grace and truth.
All we can do is live and teach as Christ would—and then trust Him with the results.
Let’s walk like Daniel, with unshakable resolve.
The elements of resolve are real—let your response be unshakable, that God may be glorified and the Daniel within you revealed.
Your Future Is a Million Little Choices and It Starts Today!
Every day, you are shaping your future—not in one big moment, but in a thousand small decisions.
Daniel didn’t wait for the perfect moment—he resolved in his heart today.
And that choice changed his life—and history.
So what will you resolve today?
Every day, you are shaping your future—not in one big moment, but in a thousand small decisions.
- Will I compromise or stand firm?
- Will I follow the crowd or follow Christ?
- Will I live for comfort or commit to holiness?
Daniel didn’t wait for the perfect moment—he resolved in his heart today.
And that choice changed his life—and history.
So what will you resolve today?
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