I was given a book recently to review and write the foreword. I remember coming across a part of the book where the author said, “‘No” is a complete sentence.” The whole import of the book is that there are times when we have to say no to people and propositions. Daniel knew the benefits of saying no when it would have been a compromise otherwise. To all intent and purposes, the king’s delicacies with which Daniel and his colleagues were to be nourished were intimidating. It was a situation where a privilege could lead to compromise of faith in God and a turning down of His statutes. So they refused the king’s offer.

They would have us take a stand for the true and living God. When we say no to compromises, we say yes to God.

Someone might ask, “What is the big deal about food? Isn’t food innocuous enough?” It wasn’t just a matter of food on the plate; it was their faith and conviction on trial. It was about the laws of the God of Israel who said there should be no other gods besides Him. Food served the king and his officials were typically offered to idols first. To partake of such foods would mean subscribing to the idols, a negation of the laws of God. At the risk of their lives, they objected; they chose rather a simple meal plan. God blessed them and made them even better than those who ate of the king’s delicacies. As the story of these men reveals, we learn that God will always stand up for those who take a stand for Him. They became men greatly sought for and honoured. These young men teach us what we must do when we are tempted to compromise. They would have us take a stand for the true and living God. When we say no to compromises, we say yes to God.