1/31/25
“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Daniel 1:8 KJV. The account of Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children in Babylonian captivity is very familiar. We recall the mighty and miraculous deliverance from the lion’s den and the fiery furnace. But too often we forget their stedfast devotion to God that led them into those life and death situations. And we overlook the truth, that while we expect God to be faithful to us in the big things, He also expects us to be faithful in the little things. So it is clear, that Daniel’s heart was set on pleasing God in all things. As Jewish young men, they were taught strict rules about what they should eat and drink. And to them, compromising even in these small things was unacceptable. They understood that the small things in life are revealing of who we really are in our relationship with God. Today, we are in a religious generation that is failing in the big things because they continually defile themselves in things that seem small to them. But may God help us to understand, that we are called to live clean and holy lives in every way. And may we, like Daniel, purpose in our heart, that we will not defile ourselves with the ungodly things of this world. By God’s grace, let us purpose to live pure and holy lives for His glory.