It does not take long for Daniel to show his true self. We are told that he and his friends had been shown favor by the chief official, and Daniel immediately takes advantage of this relationship. (By the way, the text states, “…now God had caused the official to show favor…”) Issue number one is the food from the king’s table. Most likely, the method of killing the animals and preparation of the meat was not done according to Jewish law. Even as a teenager Daniel was committed to what he knew to be right: the Law of the Lord, and refused to eat anything that was not considered clean. At the same time he did not act in a rude or demeaning manner, but worked with the chief official as to not allow trouble to befall him. The results of the “Daniel Diet” were determined in only ten short days. Daniel and his friends looked healthier and better nourished than any of the other captives. Something to think about… it was a diet of vegetables and water! Daniel (as a teenage boy) determines not to look at what is before him, at the instant pleasure of the day, but at the truth of God’s word. He had been raised in God’s law, and he intends to keep God’s law, no matter what the circumstances. This week as you consider the circumstances you encounter, are you going to react with what you know God has taught you, or with what is easy; with the power of YOU, or the power of HIM?