PURPOSEFULNESS

But Daniel PURPOSED in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself – Daniel 1:8

Godly virtues are first inward through a purposeful disposition of the heart, before they manifest outward. The heart matters much as to how a life turns out: “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Pro.4:23). The state of your heart is central to the direction of your destiny. Let’s meditate on two Bible personalities vis-à-vis Purposefulness of heart or lack of it: King Saul and Daniel. All leaders face seasons of struggle and times of trials, with plenty of room for error. At every such instance however, there is a choice to be made; a choice that must have been “purposed” a priori. Will we allow God to get us back on track or will we haughtily push through the struggle? Will we allow God take control?

In 1 Samuel 13, we find the genesis of Saul’s demise as a leader. Perhaps his sudden status as king corrupted him, as he chose to neglect the proper order of sacrifice outlined by God, and overstepped the boundary of his calling. His struggle with patience and pride, led to his error and downfall: “And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which he commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue…” (1Sam.13: 13-14a). By chapter 15 of 1 Samuel, King Saul’s character continued to unfold negatively. Eventually, God gave Saul over to his own devices. ”But Samuel said to Saul, 'I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel!’” (15:26). The Sovereign God who appoints can also reject; He has absolute Power to hire and fire!

Contrast Daniel’s testimony as a stranger in Babylon. When the youthful Daniel arrived in Babylon as a hostage, he decided he didn’t want any part of the immorality, idolatry, and hedonism of the king’s court. He also rejected the king’s delicacies, being a devout Jew who observed the laws of Kosher. Along the way the king’s dietician insisted that Daniel and his friends eat the dainties the king ordered for them. It would be interpreted as rebellion if they did not: “But Daniel PURPOSED in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Dan.1:8). Daniel had purposed in his heart to be faithful to the Lord. He knew that faithfulness to God does not occur by accident; it requires commitment and sacrifice.

Daniel experienced astounding miracles and a life of fulfilment. He wrote one of the most notable prophetic books of the Old Testament. He was used of God to sustain the people of Israel. He embodied spiritual strength and became the prime minister under three or four Babylonian kings. This was the source of his greatness: his decision to refuse the Babylonian diet was “purposed in his heart.” His convictions came from the heart, not from a dogmatic adherence to a set of carnal rules. He succeeded outwardly because he first succeeded inwardly. To succeed outwardly you must first succeed inwardly. Paul said, “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Rom.7:22). It all begins with purposefulness in the heart.

King Saul had series of opportunities to follow God’s instruction. Yet, his arrogance prevented him from making the right decisions. Daniel, with a prepared and purposeful heart, made the right choice. What choices will you have to make soon? Dare to be a Daniel! Make your resolutions to be faithful to the Lord in every circumstance, not allowing the pressures of the moment to keep you from obedience to God. The same God who sustained and exalted Daniel will take you to the Top!