Friday, October 28 2011
Daniel l
Verse of the Day: V8 “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.”
1. The Man Of Purpose (V1-8)
V8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...”
Daniel was a prisoner of the king of Babylon yet he purposed in his heart that he would not sin against God by following the ways of the Babylonians, even if it cost him his life. We may be in a situation where we are tempted to smoke and drink because our friends are smoking and drinking. However, we should purpose in our hearts that we refrain from smoking and drinking, because we are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and smoking and drinking are harmful to our health as well as our Christian testimony.
“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)
2. The Man Of Persistence (V9-16)
V10 “And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.”
Daniel was a man of persistence as he persuaded the prince to let him and his fellow prisoners eat the pulse or beans instead of the king’s meat. The prince could have been beheaded if Daniel and his fellow prisoners became weak after ten days of eating pulse. However, Daniel was absolutely right, as after ten days, they were healthier and stronger.
V15 “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.”
3. The Man Of Power (V17-21)
V17 “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
God gave Daniel the knowledge, skill, wisdom and power to understand and interpret visions and dreams. Indeed, the Almighty God shall give knowledge, skill, wisdom and power to whosoever that believes and receives Him, and even to become the sons of God.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12)
Prayer of the Day:
Dearest God, please help me to be the man of purpose, persistence and power.
