Daniel's Heart for God
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In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abed-nego.
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.
Daniel 1:1-
Intro
Intro
Intro
Intro
Daniel was a young man that has a very unique and special testimony for the Lord.
Transition
Transition
There are many accounts in God’s word that remind us of God’s desire to use young people for his glory but for today we are going to look briefly at the life of Daniel and specifically at what made his testimony so powerful.
I. The displacement of Daniel
I. The displacement of Daniel
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.
Daniel’s homeland was overrun by the Babylonian Army
Daniel’s homeland was overrun by the Babylonian Army
This was judgement on Isreal due to their idolatry and self sufficiency
Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
Daniel was just a teenager when he was taken from his comfortable surroundings and thrown into Babylon
Application:
You may not face a displacement of your life into a foreign land like Daniel, but this world is very similar to Babylon in a number of ways.
- It is focused on idol worship and is completely anti-God and anti-Bible
- It is materially wealthy but spiritually desolate
- It will offer you things, it will promise to deliver but it is all a lie and vain and empty
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
We looked at the displacement of Daniel now we will look at...
II. The determination of Daniel
II. The determination of Daniel
The foreign land that Daniel was thrust into did not sway him or pull him a single inch.
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.
A. His determination was sincere
A. His determination was sincere
“purposed in his heart”
The only two people who really know what is in your heart are you and the Lord
He purposed in his heart
The only two people who really know what is in your heart are you and the Lord
God’s word tells us how absolutely vital it is to guard our hearts so that we can remain pure
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Illustration: Perimeter security at a fire base - The new security at the church -
All of this is to diligently watch over something that is very valuable
B. His determination was specific
B. His determination was specific
“that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat”
The meat that was offered was not in accordance with God’s plan for Daniel
God does not have food restrictions for his children today but he certainly has boundaries and commands for purity
The displacement of Daniel, the determination of Daniel and finally.....
III. The demonstration of Daniel
III. The demonstration of Daniel
When the temptation of life is real and
Daniel was forced into a foreign land but remained determined to follow the Lord. He has purposed in his heart that he would remain pure and he understood that this was the key to his fellowship with God. Like anything in life..... “the proof is in the pudding” and the life of Daniel is no different.
His situation was strange and unfamiliar - an easy place to give in
He determined in his heart to follow God
Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. 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. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. 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. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.
vs 15 - “...their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.”