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A HEART OF PURPOSE (I)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2
Daniel 1:1-21

2 Chronicles 36:1-21

 

“…Daniel purposed in

his heart…”

 

A HEART OF PURPOSE (I)
 
The book of Daniel can be divided into two sections: historical (chapters 1-6) and prophetic (chapters 7-12). Studies of this book often focus on the prophetic section. Volumes have been written discussing the interpretation of these prophecies and their interconnections with other prophecies in the Bible. But the historical section offers a wealth of value, a goldmine of spiritual lessons that may be drawn from the life of one of the most remarkable individuals in the Old Testament – whose righteousness was highly praised by God Himself (Ezek 14:14).
 
Little is known of Daniel’s early years. It seems likely, however, that he would have grown up during the reign of Josiah, Judah’s last good king, and would thus have been exposed to the religious revival of those times. Furthermore, it has been pointed out that Daniel’s Hebrew name (meaning “God is my judge”), with its reference to the God of Israel, points  to the fact that his parents may have been faithful believers. Whatever the case, it is clear that from an early age, Daniel had received a thorough grounding in the Word of God. This was important preparation. His convictions needed a firm foundation, if they were to endure the fires of testing that were to come.
 
Sadly, the revival instituted by Josiah did not last long. Following his death, the kingdom passed to a series of wicked kings, and soon ended in the exile of the Jewish people as Jerusalem was besieged by the Babylonian army. Many of the people, including Daniel, were taken captive. Daniel’s age at this point cannot be determined precisely, but estimates range from 12 to 18 years old. For a young boy in his teens, the experience must have been profoundly disorienting: to be separated from his family and homeland, thrust into an alien land and plunged into a strange and foreign culture.
 
But Daniel had something that even this shocking experience could not remove from him. He had a settled purpose in his heart, to glorify God and to obey Him, no matter the earthly consequences. This heart of purpose, established early, would carry Daniel through his whole life.
 
THOUGHT: “Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov 22:6).

PRAYER: Give me, O Father, a heart of purpose to obey Thee!

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