Part 2 - The Power of Purpose

“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.”

Daniel 1:8

The focus of our attention this morning is the statement made about Daniel: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” It is a powerful and profound thing for someone to “purpose” something in their heart. It speaks of:

• Awareness of the need to purpose/determine something. The Holy Spirit has a way of making us aware, showing us areas of our life where we need to purpose some things.

• Intentionality in purposing and being determined. Most people are not intentionally negligent - but neither are they intentionally attentive. The lack of intentionality results in being haphazard and sporadic.

As a Christian, we must determine and purpose some things. David said in Psalms 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise SHALL continually be in my mouth.” David purposed to praise the Lord at all times…. not only when feelings and circumstances were favorable—but at all times. In essence, David said “I have made up my mind, I am going to give praise and worship to the Lord regardless of where I am or what is going on in my life”. The apostle Paul purposed to praise the Lord even while shackled behind prison doors. We can purpose to praise Him in the church, in our house or on the job. Our worship changes attitude and atmosphere for Psalms 22:3 says that God inhabits the praises of His people.

In Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended (arrived); but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal.” Paul determined in his Heart that he would not allow the past to dictate his future. We may be traumatized by our past, but we don’t have to be trapped by our past. We may have failed Him. We may have made some very bad choices, but we can intentionally determine that we are moving passed our past. Paul said, “I PRESS toward the goal.” It’s not an easy thing….it is not the path of least resistance…. but I am pressing on. There are problems, pressures, and perplexities…. but I have made up my mind…I am pressing onward and upward in God’s call on my life. There’s power in purposing something in our spirit.

Perhaps today we need to re-purpose some things in our life. The demands and difficulties of life can pull us down. Conflict can cause us to compromise our commitment. But today, the Spirit of God is calling us to once again purpose some things in our heart for God. It’s not easy… but it’s right. The voice of doubt, fear and unbelief may be taunting your faith…. but today the Holy Spirit is rising up within you with faith to purpose to praise Him and press on in God!