Daniel’s Purpose of Heart (2) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

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. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.
Daniel 1:8–9

Daniel’s Purpose of Heart (2)
“But Daniel (Dan. 1:8) … Now God” (v. 9); Daniel and God belong together! Here we find a picture of our faithfulness to God and His faithfulness to us. Here is a believer for whom the meaning of his name was his life’s program: Daniel means, “My judge is God.” He was aware that God saw everything he did; that his life was being assessed. The result of that knowledge was not fear, but faithfulness.

Daniel knew God’s standards. He knew what was clean and what was unclean before Him. How can we live according to the will of God if we only have vague, unclear ideas about His will—in other words, if we do not know the Word of God?

But that was not all: Daniel’s heart also belonged to His God. And it was there that he made a firm decision to be faithful: “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” It is the same today: knowledge alone is not enough, but the heart must be the deciding factor. If this belongs to God, then our lives belong to Him too. The answer to this faithfulness came immediately: “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” Daniel had a God who rewarded faithfulness. And we have the same God!

Frank Ulrich

Firstfruits of Thy new creation,
Faithful, holy, may we be,
Joyful in Thy full salvation,
More and more conformed to Thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Then to worship and adore Thee,
Lost in wonder, love and praise.

Charles Wesley