Purpose Not to be Defiled (Sep 3)
The first 3 chapters of the book
describe the spiritual integrity
of Daniel and his three friends.
Selected for government service,
they resist the pressure to conform
to their pagan environment and
instead take a stand for God.
Whether in diet, truthfulness or
spiritual discipline, the four young
men live out their convictions.
Lord, grant us Your Revelation:
To them the chief of the eunuchs
gave names: he gave Daniel the
name Belteshazzar… But Daniel
purposed in his heart that he would
not defile himself with the portion
of the king’s delicacies nor with
the wine… therefore he requested
of the chief of the eunuchs that he
might not defile himself (Dan 1:7-8)
During the Night the mystery was
revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then
Daniel said: Praise be the name of
God… wisdom are His (Dan 2:19-20)
He Reveals deep and mysterious
things and knows what lies Hidden
in darkness… I thank… You for You
have given me Wisdom and strength.
You have told me what we Asked
of You and Revealed to us what
the king demanded (v22-23).
Lord, don’t let me become so
consumed with the good things
the world offers that I lose the
sense of identity as a citizen
of a holy nation set apart to God.
Help me to obey Your law out of gratitude to Your abundant grace.
Help me place a guard on my heart
to remind me I belong to another
kingdom and another King. Amen.
Lord, it seems that in the middle of
the night problems appear larger.
At those times I am reminded that
You never sleep and I can come
to You and cling to Your presence.
Pray that at those times You will
give me the treasures of darkness,
as You have spoken in Your Word.
Fill my darkness Lord with Your
light and give me peace. Amen.
Lord, I purpose not to lean on my
own understanding; but instead
to look to You the All Knowing One
for understanding and wisdom. For
there are things we can’t know by
seeing or hearing are known by God
& U are willing to reveal them to us.
So Grant me Lord Your wisdom
and strength to handle the tricky situations each day. In Jesus’ name.