What Have You Purposed To Do?

WHAT HAVE YOU PURPOSED TO DO?

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.

Daniel and other Hebrew children were taken captive and led to Babylon and those that were without blemish and were wise, the king had set aside and ordered them to be given a daily portion of the kings food and wine. But Daniel did not want it and purposed in his heart not to defile himself therewith. In other words he decided or set his mind against eating and drinking the king’s fare. Instead he asked that the eunuch which had charge over him, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to give them pulse to eat and water to drink. He asked for the overseer to give them 10 days and see how they faired.

At the end of the time he found them to be fairer and fatter than the others. After seeing this the eunuch took away the king’s meat from the others and gave them pulse also to eat.

We aren’t told exactly what pulse was but many have said they believed it was mashed up beans or lentils. Daniel wanted to be pleasing to God in how he lived and what he ate and drank as well. We have this example in this passage, and it is a great act that Daniel did. But let’s come down to where we live today. What have you purposed in your heart to do or not to do that you might not defile yourself? I know we are not saved by works, and that all have sinned and came short of the Glory of God. But if we have been saved and belong to Jesus, there are things in each of our lives that we need to purpose in our hearts not to do to keep ourselves as clean as possible. The very best you or I can do we are going to get dirty in this world. Each of us have those things that we need to stay away from or maybe it is just one thing that has our number if you will. We need to determine not give in to those things. It may be drinking, talking about people, or just serving the Lord half heartily. The eating is taken care of in the Scriptures.

1Timothy4:4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

Mark 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

f there are things in your life that are separating you from the Lord, purpose in your heart today to keep yourself from them.

Have a great day