Purposed in My Heart
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself” Daniel 1:8
“Dare to be a Daniel.” That was the main theme while my pastor was teaching through the book of Daniel. It’s because Daniel purposed in his heart to not defile himself and to devote his life to the living God. He was a man filled with the Spirit and did amazing things, he was blessed with wisdom and insight and was greatly used by God. Daniel’s life was a witness for the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, who by the end of his reign glorifies God.
And at the end of the time[a] I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever:
For His dominion is an everlasting dominion,
And His kingdom is from generation to generation.
All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”At the same time my reason returned to me, and for the glory of my kingdom, my honor and splendor returned to me. My counselors and nobles resorted to me, I was restored to my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added to me.
By changing that one person, who is very influential, Daniel was used to changed many people’s hearts.
Through the power of Jesus, I will purpose in my heart to not defile myself with my fleshly desires and to serve Him with all my strength. I have to ask to be filled with His Spirit daily and to pray continuously for His power to accomplish this. To have Christ increase while I decrease, that is how I will be able to live a life that pleases God and to glorify His Name.