“A Purpose Driven Heart”

Daniel 1: 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.”

What is the significance of a young man taking a stand against meat? Why was he so determined to keep the law while being in bondage? Was not everyone else going along with the lifestyle of Babylon? Allow me for just a moment to share the importance of this young man’s stand for the Lord.

As we study this book, you will find that every decision made determined whether they survived the next crisis in their bondage. Daniel’s stand for the Lord in chapter 1 produced an enabling from God to be 10 times greater than the mightiest man in Babylon. Could you imagine the amount of faith it took a teenager to make such a challenge to the very man who could have killed him? Just as with Daniel, we are living in a foreign country, bound down by sin. Yet just as Daniel purposed to keep the law of God, we must also purpose to keep the Word of God. Everyone else might be giving into the temptations of this foreign land, but dear friend, God has blessings and promotions for only those living with a purpose driven heart. Today, will you allow God to give you such a purpose driven heart?

From this miracle, Daniel received creditability within the empire. We will see next Friday why this is so significant.