Day 1 - Daniel: All In When the Pressure Rises
Devotional Scripture Reading
Primary Passage: Daniel 1:8-17
Supporting Scriptures (as cited in devotional): Daniel 1:8, Daniel 1:8-10, Romans 12:2, Daniel 1:15-17, Daniel 2:17-19, Daniel 6:25-28
KJV (Full Text):
8 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.
9 Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.
10 And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.
11 Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah,
12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.
13 Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
14 So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
Summary: Daniel 1:8-17 — Daniel decided not to defile himself with the king’s food and God honored their faithfulness with wisdom and health.
Daniel was carried into Babylon, a system designed to rename him, retrain him, and reshape him. Yet Scripture says he “purposed in his heart” (Daniel 1:8). The Hebrew verb sim (שׂוּם) means to set firmly, to establish with intention. Before Daniel faced a den, he faced a dinner table. Being All In begins with a settled heart before the test shows up.
First, Daniel shows us resolve. He decided in advance that he belonged to God, not the culture.
That is why he could refuse the king’s food without fear (Daniel 1:8–10). This is covenant living.
Romans 12:2 says we are not to be conformed but transformed. Daniel lived before Paul wrote it. His private devotion became his public strength.
Second, Daniel shows us resistance. Babylon offered provision, but it also offered compromise.
Daniel chose discipline over convenience, and God honored it (Daniel 1:15–17). Fasting works this same way. It trains your appetite. It teaches your flesh that it will not lead. It reminds your spirit who is in charge.
Third, Daniel shows us a witness. His consecration strengthened his friends and influenced leadership around him (Daniel 2:17–19; Daniel 6:25–28). That is discipleship and evangelism through character. In a day when public faith can feel pressured by politics, school systems, and social media noise, Daniel teaches that steady devotion becomes a loud testimony.
Daniel’s story says your breakthrough is not built in the crisis. It is built into the choices you make before the crisis. Stay faithful at the table, and you will be faithful in the den. God may not remove every threat, but He will keep His hand on those who keep their hearts set on Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Daniel’s example of firm devotion. Help me set my heart on You before pressure rises. Strengthen my convictions so I will choose holiness over compromise. As I fast, sharpen my discernment and deepen my discipline. Let my life be a witness to that strengthens others and honors You. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Reflective Questions:
1. Where do I feel pressure to compromise, and what will I decide in advance?
2. What spiritual discipline will I strengthen during this fast to stay faithful?