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.
The expression that has captured my attention is the expression: “Daniel purposed in his heart.” Let this expression spur us to think about our purposes.
First, true to our method of teaching, let us define the word purpose both as a noun and as a verb.
Purpose – sb. Purpose - That which one sets before oneself as a thing to be done or attained; the object which one has in view. Without a or pl. The action or fact of intending or meaning to do something; intention, resolution, determination.
Purpose - v. To set before oneself for accomplishment. To place before oneself as a thing to be done or attained; to form a purpose of doing (something); to design or resolve upon the performance of.
When “Daniel purposed in heart” not to defile himself with the king’s meat and drink, he set that task before him as something to be accomplished. Having purposed to do it in his heart, he proceeded to order his conduct and circumstances to accomplish that objective. Daniel’s purpose was more than a passing wish. It was a resolve, a determination to make something happen, if at all possible.
If you read the entire chapter of Daniel 1, you know that Daniel sought out a way to remain true to his purpose not to defile himself with the king’s meat and drink. God blessed Daniel with good success in fulfilling this purpose. He was permitted to eat another diet and he fared better on that diet than the others did on the king’s diet. But this good success all began with Daniel purposing in his heart. It is amazing what people can accomplish if they but purpose in their hearts to do something. It is also amazing how God will assist those who purpose in their hearts to do right things.
Remembering that these things in Daniel “were written for our learning” (ROM 15:4), there is something here for us to apply to ourselves. The way you order your conduct and circumstances flows out of what you purpose in your heart. A great deal can be known about the things that you set before you to accomplish, by the things you choose to do and not to do.
Examine your spiritual life, your Bible reading, your prayer life, your church attendance, what you get out of the church service, what you contribute to the church, your personal holiness, your walk, your attitude, your talk. Need improvement? Bear in mind that there will be no improvement without your doing what Daniel did. You must purpose in your heart to make things better. You will make no progress in any of these areas I have suggested until you set it before you as something to be accomplished, until you resolve or determine within yourself to improve.
Consider the following passage spoken of Barnabas when he went to Antioch to see the work of the Lord being done there.
Acts 11:23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
That word cleave is an interesting word to consider.
Cleave - To stick fast or adhere, as by a glutinous surface. To adhere or cling to (a person, party, principle, practice, etc.); to remain attached, devoted, or faithful to.
Barnabas exhorted these brethren to “cleave unto the Lord,” that is, to be attached, devoted, and faithful to the Lord. Just how attached, devoted, and faithful to your Lord are you? Do your decisions reflect that you cleave unto Him? Does your daily spiritual life reflect that you cleave unto Him? Does your attentiveness to the worship of God show that you cleave unto Him? Do the choices you make between His church service and your personal ambitions and pleasures show how much cleave unto the Lord?
Now if you would be more attached, devoted, and faithful to your Lord, be advised that this will only occur when you do so “with purpose of heart,” just as Barnabas said. Cleaving to the Lord will only happen as you set it before you as something to be accomplished. As you resolve and determine in your heart to cleave unto the Lord, that purpose will be seen in how your order your conduct and circumstances. It will show itself in the kind of job you select, the shift you choose to work, the kinds of friends you make, how you plan your vacations, etc. So far as it is possible, you will make choices that will facilitate your cleaving unto the Lord. You will do this because this is what you purpose in your heart.
So examine your purposes, dear brethren. I close with the words of this song:
Standing by a purpose true, heeding God’s command,
Honour them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s Band!
Dare to be a Daniel. Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known!
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
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