Started With A Purpose
Daniel 1:8-15 [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.
There are so many great things in the book of Daniel that it seems like you rarely hear the beginning preached or even talked about. We’ve heard a lot on the fiery furnace and the lions den. Our text we see where it all began. If you read verse 7 you will see where their names come from. It all started then in verse 8 when Daniel purposes something in his heart. They were supposed to be fed the kings meat, and Daniel knew that this meat at times had been offered up to idols and that he knew it was wrong to eat it.
Acts 15:29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
We then see how much better off these 4 were at the end of ten days due to Daniel’s obedience. What could we accomplish if we just purposed some things in our heart? Regardless of anyone else’s attitude around us we just purpose in our heart we are going to worship Him. Regardless of what the world is doing we purpose in our heart we are going to follow Him! Regardless of how many “no’s” we may get we are going to purpose in our heart to share the Gospel! Too many things rely on convenience or feeling. If I have time then I will. If it don’t offend anyone then I will. There are some things we should just purpose in our heart we are going to do for Christ no matter what may come against us and no matter how the world may look at it.
God bless you today! Bro. Josh Richardson
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