by: Jonathan Painter
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.”
As we read Daniel chapter one, it is ever apparent that Daniel was a man who, even in captivity, was blessed of God. Continue reading the whole book and you will see that not only was Daniel blessed, but he lived a life of greatness; a life rich in the fullness of blessings from his Heavenly Father. Why was Daniel’s life so blessed? We see his formula here in chapter one.
Purpose + Completion = Blessings
In Daniel 1:8, we see that Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the king’s meat that had been sacrificed to idols and in verses twelve and thirteen we see that he and his friends keep their commitment. “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. 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.” So, in verse eight, we see the purpose, in verses twelve and thirteen we see the follow-through or completion, and then from verse fifteen to the end of the chapter we see the blessing.
Purpose + Completion = Blessing
You may be thinking, “So what is the point?” The point of application is this. Far too often we purpose to do something for God; we fail to complete the commitment: yet we expect the blessings. It doesn’t work that way. God does not bless a person for merely purposing in their heart. He blesses them for the completion of the purpose.
It is much easier to attend a youth rally or a teen conference and make a decision to do something or give something up than it is to actually keep that commitment and follow through with it. I don’t believe for one-second that God is thrilled simply with purpose, or a commitment. I believe what impresses God is when the teenager who purposes in their heart actually begins to do that which they have committed to do. At that point God looks down and says, “Now there is a young lady I can bless!” or “There is a young man I can bless!”
The challenge is this, be like Daniel and not only purpose to do right in your heart, but follow through with it and actually do what you have promised to do. Please do not misunderstand me, I do know that the completion must begin with a purpose, so do purpose; however, don’t let the purpose end in your heart, carry it out and complete it.
Daniel 1:21 “ And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.”
Jonathan Painter
Youth Pastor
Lincoln Baptist Church
Lincoln, Nebraska