A PURPOSE-DRIVEN LIFE – Daniel 1
Apart from God, mankind has no real purpose. And a life without purpose – regardless
of how talented, rich or famous – can end up hopeless and unconscious in a Las Vegas
brothel, as did former NBA star Lamar Odom this past week. If we haven’t any real
eternal purpose, Satan will give us his. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10
Daniel could have been among the hopeless, but he knew he was created for a greater
purpose! Here we find that he has been carried away in the first Babylonian captivity:
There were three separate captivities altogether (Jeremiah 52:28-30). God had warned
Israel that judgment would come if they did not repent of their rebellion against His
word; of their idolatry and moral apostasy (Jeremiah 7:24-8:3). Yet Israel would not
repent; thus, the first of the three Babylonian captivities for Israel has now taken place.
Daniel serves as an example to us of purposeful living in Christ. By his example, we can
learn how to impact a Christ-rejecting society as thermostats, rather than being
subjected to being mere thermometers!
(v.1, 2) “The third year of Jehoiakim king of Judah” was around 605 B.C. (2 Kings 24:1,
2; 2 Chronicles 36:5-7). Shinar is a term used for Babylon; it is associated with Nimrod
(Genesis 10:10). It was the location of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:2), and is the
place to which wickedness is banished (Zechariah 5:11). It was located in modern-day
Iraq. Nebuchadnezzar carried away the vessels (v.2) from the temple in Jerusalem to
the house of his god, Marduk (chief god of the Babylonian Empire); in doing so, he was
attributing his victory over Israel to the Babylonian pagan deities.
As with Daniel, America today (and the world) has become the new Shinar; godlessness
permeates our nation and the world. However, fear not: Godlessness does not equate
to God working less. In fact, His greatest works are often performed in times of sheer
moral darkness and hopelessness! (v.3-4) Chaldeans (from the southern region of
Babylon-Iraq), were the dominant population in Babylon. Scholars are divided as to
whether Daniel was a eunuch (a castrated servant). One scholar points out, however,
that the selected young men were to be without blemish. “Such perfection could not
belong to eunuchs.” (Charles/Walvoord commentary Daniel). They were to be indoctrinated in the
ways of the Chaldeans. Daniel and his three friends were probably, at this time, in their
early teens. (v.5-8) The royal food was lavishly provided for them, yet Daniel
“…purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself….” This is definitely a
miracle: a healthy teenage boy, turning down good food! But he was living for a far
greater purpose than pleasing his flesh: He purposed in his heart to please God!
Purpose literally means, “laid upon his heart.” We do this all the time for the things
we really want. (marriage pursuit)
There was another group of young men there also from Jerusalem, but they were
silent. They represent many believers today who have taken the cowardly position of
political correctness, and have been intimidated into accepting the world’s standard of
morality. These remain silent in the name of tolerance. They go along to get along,
even to the point of denying Christ. Like this other group of Israelite young men, many
look around at their circumstances and conclude God has abandoned us. Why not give
in? But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Matthew 24:13
Notice: Daniel and his three companions had their names changed – a common
practice by conquering nations – but their hearts remained the same toward God.
Consider the contrast between the names. HEBREW: Daniel – “God is judge.”
Hananiah – “Jehovah is gracious.” Mishael – “Who is what God is?” Azariah – “The
Lord helps.” Their BABYLONIAN names: (Daniel) Belteshazzar: “May Bel (pagan god of
Babylon) protect his life.” (Hananiah) Shadrach: “Command of Aku,” (the moon god).
(Mishael) Meshach: “Who is what Aku (moon-god) is?” (Azariah) Abed-nego:
“Servant of Nebo” (the son of the Babylonian god Bel). Through our circumstances,
the devil seeks to change your name. He labels people with labels like “drunkard,”
“loser,” “hopeless,” “paranoid”; and those names become their identity. But in Christ,
we have a new identity! Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed
away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Daniel
and his three homies held on to
their identity in their God. Know who you really are in Christ! No set of circumstances
will ever change your identity in Him! Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not
we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Psalm 100:3
Daniel’s decision to not defile himself was not born out of a sense of selfrighteousness, but God’s righteousness. In word: The food did not meet Mosaic Law
regulations and may have contained forbidden animal flesh. In worship: The wine as
well as the meat had been dedicated to pagan gods. To partake would be to recognize
the idols as deities. That which contradicts the word and defiles my worship should be
avoided. (v.9-14) Notice: There are two lessons in dealing tactfully with the world, or a
godless boss. Lesson #1 – Bring a solution to the table. (v.12, 13) Instead of inviting
punishment by rebelling against his captors, Daniel offered a solution. Lesson #2 –
Respect authority. (v.11) He respects the order of authority. He doesn’t go over the
steward’s head back to the “master of the eunuchs (Ashpenaz).” God will not give you
authority unless you can respect authority! Authority is always handed down.
(v.15-21) As with physical food, what we digest spiritually will affect us outwardly. (ttt)
Mark 7:14-23. The world will know us by our fruit, but also by our diet! When Daniel
and his friends “purposed” to not be “defiled” by partaking of the world’s delicacies,
God purposed to grant them “favor,” “goodwill,” (v.9) “knowledge,” “skills,” (along
with Daniel’s special gift of visions and dreams) (v.17), and to promote them in the
presence of men! (v.19). “…for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be
lightly esteemed.” 1 Samuel 2:30b
CONCLUSION: There are four means by which we can maintain a sense of divine purpose in
Christ, using the acrostic D.A.R.E. (1) Devotion. Devotion is a commitment to discipleship, which
cultivates godly desire, and leads to fulfillment. Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the
desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 (2) Avoid. Avoid old patterns. Recognize the carnal patterns which set
you off. Charles Stanley – H.A.L.T. – learn how to possess your “own vessel in sanctification and
honor” 1 Thessalonians 4:4. (3) Repent. (1 John 1:9). (4) Establish. habitual patterns of reverence –
in the word , prayer, and fellowship. When you dare to live a purposeful life in Christ, God will dare
to bless you above and beyond what you can ask or think!