Since my youth, I have been, and continue to be, deeply impacted by Joseph and Daniel. Both are examples of people who have weathered some of the harshest circumstances but have remained steadfastly anchored through their lives. They were cruelly plucked out from the security of their country, thrown into a foreign land, ill-treated, and found themselves in hostile situations. What was it that enabled them to survive and grow under such trials and temptations? I wanted to learn from them in their response, so that I too could face the unpredictable vicissitudes in life and remain steadfast in this walk of faith.
I believe Daniel 1:8 sums it up beautifully – “But Daniel purposed in his heart …” (NKJV). He was determined, firm in purpose and intent. No one obeys God by accident. Believers need to be intentional about what they will do and what they will not do.
In Daniel’s case, in the early phase of his life in captivity, placed in the royal courts, he made a choice not to take the food ordered by the king himself. It was not an easy decision. Others might have thought it was “harmless” and be willing to flow along. But Daniel decided not to do so. He had “purposed in his heart” to obey God’s law.
To live with intentionality, we need to know the basis. If our intent is to please God, then it is clear that our guidance must be based on what God has revealed to us in His Word. This is what the Psalmist recorded of his prayer: “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11, ESV).
This is needful. To purpose in our hearts to walk in His ways, we will need to be intentional about reading and knowing God’s Word. We need to “store up” God’s Word so that we can draw from that which has been deposited within.
We may not face similar harsh circumstances that Daniel was subjected to. But in reality, all disciples of Christ will find that the values in society run counter to God’s loving commands given for our good. We will find ourselves “swimming against the tide” in society. We may be tempted just to flow along. At times, what society offers may even appear very appealing and “reasonable”.
Observing from Daniel’s life, I have learned that having a heart of purpose begins with the desire to apply God’s Word in our day-to-day encounters. We do not wait until we are placed before the fiery furnace or the lion’s den. For Daniel, it began with dietary options, knowing God’s Word and the implications of his decision. For most of us, it will be expressed in basic stuff, in choices we make – relating to friendships, leisure, lifestyle and time usage. Those lead on to the bigger life decisions such as education, career, or when we are placed in a hostile environment.
It was instructional to read this sentence in the following verse: “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (Daniel 1:9, NKJV).
Indeed, God was present. Confronted with a situation, Daniel resolved not to “defile himself”, drawing upon God’s Word stored in his heart, and relying on Him in the response. It was a step of faith. And God showed up for him.
Lida Leech penned these words in a hymn: God’s way is the best way, though I may not see …
Do you believe this is true? If so, we must purpose in our hearts to walk in His ways. It begins with the application of His Word in the daily decisions that we make.
By David LT Yap, Advisory Pastor (YCKC Bulletin 18&19 July 2015)