Portraits with Purpose

17. Faithful Daniel

Scripture:

Daniel 1:8;6:1-23; Colossians 3:17

Hymn:

"I Will Serve Him, Because I Love Him"

Meditation: Daniel certainly lived a life of singular purpose to serve his Heavenly Father. And, while God placed Daniel in key positions to exhibit the power of the Almighty, Daniel’s need to focus on right outweighed every circumstance which called for compromise. If believers today could maintain three focal points of Daniel’s strength, then God’s deliverances would outnumber life’s disappointments.  Purpose of Mind to Honor God Daniel decided early on in life to think only in terms of honoring God with his life.  Purpose of Prayer to Seek God A constant dependence on God’s guidance, wisdom, and Word marked Daniel’s life and decision -making process.  Purpose of Plans to Endure for God With no escape plan or easy-out enter ing Daniel’s mind, he simply pressed ahead with God’s Word of righteousness.

Standing by a purpose true, Heeding God’s command, Honor them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s band! Dare to be a Daniel, Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose Firm! Dare to make it known!

-Philip P. Bliss