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Finding A Way To Be Obedient
 

Pastor Bill Farrow
 

Daniel 1:8

8But 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.

(Verse 8) - But Daniel purposed in his heart—Evidently in concurrence with the youths who had been selected with him. (Cp. Dan. 1:11-13). Daniel, it seems, formed this as a “decided” purpose, and “meant” to carry it into effect, as a matter of principle, though he designed to secure his object, if possible, by making a request that he might be “allowed” to pursue that course Dan. 1:12, and wished not to give offence, or to provoke opposition. What would have been the result if he had not obtained permission we know not; but the probability is, that he would have thrown himself upon the protection of God, as he afterward did Dan. 6, and would have done what he considered to be duty, regardless of consequences. The course which he took saved him from the trial, for the prince of the eunuchs was willing to allow him to make the experiment, (Dan. 1:14). It is always better, even where there is decided principle, and a settled purpose in a matter, to obtain an object by a peaceful request, than to attempt to secure it by violence.

What is interesting here is the idea of “purposing in our hearts”.  For most people, this would be understood as speaking to his intention.  It does speak to that, but it does not speak to that alone.  Many would see it as speaking to the idea of “meaning well” or “intending to do a thing”.  This is not the sense in which this passage uses it.  Certainly, it does describe Daniel’s intention, but it describes far more than that.  As we noted, it refers to a decided purpose, to a commitment Daniel made in his heart and mind that was both firm and definite.  It is worth noting that it was more than just the intention to do right, but the firm decision to do that right regardless of the circumstance that might (or might not)develop.

For Daniel, and for his three friends at least, the decision to obey God was made and was definite in their hearts before any action occurred to make it possible to follow through on it peaceably.  This is important to note.  Daniel portrays for us a good pattern for obedience that is profitable to consider:

  1. He evaluated his circumstances and saw that there was a conflict between what the world required of Him and what God required of him.

  2. He discerned what the will of God was, decided he would obey it no matter what occurred.

  3. He set his course and put obedience into action.  The matter of his behavior was settled from this point onward in his heart and mind.

  4. From the point of view of obeying God, he set about finding a way to exist peacefully with his circumstances, without compromise the commitment he had made to God in the slightest.

  5. He made a proper and meek approach to his authority with a reasonable and workable alternative.

  6. He was willing to do what was needful, at his own inconvenience, to be obedience and still fulfill the requirements of the world set before him (that were not in conflict with the laws of God).

  7. He followed through and actually did what was needful.

  8. God prospered and blessed him.

It is never impossible to be obedient to God.  It is, however, occasionally impossible to both obey God and live peaceably and conveniently in the world.  Daniel was willing to sacrifice the “conveniently” part in order to obey the Lord and be at peace with the authorities over him.  This is where you and I fall down.  We often sacrifice the other end of the scale, the obedience part, in order to be at peace with the world and disobey the Lord.  Daniel gave up something that he was entitled to and which would have been pleasant to him in order to be obedient to God and in order to still meet the requirements of the authority over him.  Such obedience and consecration is never easy, but it is often the most productive and godly way to lvie our lives, particularly in a hostile cultural environment.

I need to look at my life and my circumstances and see what and where I am sacrificing obedience on the alter of convenience and stop it!