Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Purpose in Your Heart


Daniel 1:8,17 - 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. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Purposed in his heart. Defile. Delicacies. Knowledge, skill, wisdom, understanding. There are many people shown in God's Word who are wise because of their devotion to God and good choices.There are also many occurrences where ignorance or personal desires and poor choices did not cause goodness in people's lives...and often death.

There are choices we make in life and all choices have consequences. If we, like Daniel and his three friends, purpose in our heart to do what is right, good will come of it. They purposed not to defile themselves and they were shown to have been given good things because of it. In this particular instance, they opted to shun the richness and opulence of the king's lifestyle. In return God gave them wisdom and understanding. Having God's wisdom in our lives is what brings goodness; understanding what He would want us to do.

The king asked for an interpretation of a dream. He called the magicians, astrologers and sorcerers to interpret it; if they could not, they would die. They asked what the dream was so they could go about translating but he told them they had to make known the dream and the interpretation. (Obviously it was assumed because of their "occupations" they would be able to do so.) They couldn't. However, Daniel, having sought the things of God over the things of man was given the wisdom and understanding to both know the dream and its interpretation and he offered to do so.

As an aside, of magicians, astrologers and sorcerers God says: Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:31). They do not have the right answers. They deceive. Our enemy deceives. They are not of God. We are to call on the LORD, seek Him, not man.

We are faced each day with choices. We can look at two things put before us and choose that which could be considered an earthly desire over that which is the better thing. Things of the world can deceive us into believing they are what we need. The things of God, which may not appear on the surface to be what we need, truly are in the end is the wisest choice. We can choose to live a life without God or have that relationship with the God who created all things. One is the better choice.

Nebuchadnezzar was the king above...of Babylon. Babylon is a biblical term for the world. Do we choose to go along with the flow of the world and its desires, things that will not last and have no meaning after we die, or do we do like Daniel and choose the things of God that will bring wisdom and knowledge and good, success?

Daniel chose the things of God. He took no credit to the ability to interpret the king's dream, but only praised God for the wisdom, knowledge and power that He gave:  “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. (Daniel 2:20 )" He gave credit where credit is always due.

I wish I could go into the dream! You can read it in Daniel 2:24-45. It basically ends with the fact that in the last days there will be a final kingdom that will overthrow all the others. It is the Kingdom of God which will defeat all the kingdoms of earth/man. He is always in control, His ways are true and just, and as we follow and seek Him, we have made the right choice. Our futures will be secure.

If we purpose in our hearts to be stayed on the things of God over the things of the world, all knowledge and wisdom, the mysteries of God, will be given to us. How exciting is that? What is it that man has to offer that is greater than He who created each of us, knows the very number of hairs on our heads, who provides, protects, heals and even disciplines because He loves us. Can man provide eternal life? Can man provide internal peace? Some think they are wise but that is man's wisdom alone, which is considered foolishness. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts. (Psalms 10:4)

Daniel is a good example. He sought God over man. We see over and over in scripture how the followers of God were successful. Even those who strayed for a time and failed but returned to God were successful. This success is not measured in what we achieve, how high on the ladder we climb, who we know or even become. God sees not as man sees ...for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1Samuel 16:7b)

What do we want in life? To know that God is by our side? To know that He who is able to change the times and seasons and who says that if He will take care of a small sparrow, how much more will He take care of us? What man can we trust to do these things? Nothing on earth is nearly great enough...no amount of fame or fortune can provide the one thing God can. Eternal security and lifetime provision, protection and spiritual healing.

I choose that which Jesus has to offer over that which man can provide. You can too.

Daniel 2:21-22 - And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.

No comments:

Post a Comment