Recently I was reminded of a song I learnt in Sunday School decades ago:
Dare to be a Daniel!
Dare to stand alone,
Dare to have a purpose firm,
Dare to make it known!
Daniel in the Old Testament?purposed in his heart that he will not be defiled?by the things in Babylon where he was exiled (Daniel 1:8). Daniel was probably a teenager when he was taken into captivity, yet this young man determined in his heart that he will stand firm and be true to his faith and calling. He was courageous, indomitable, righteous, a man of prayer, integrity and totally trustworthy.
Like Daniel, we too must be purposeful in all we do and say as we live in an unholy, godless and hostile environment. If we have a firm purpose, we will not be taken by surprise. When Daniel’s enemies set a trap to get him in trouble with the King, Daniel did not waiver but continued his daily routine by honoring his God while serving the Babylonian king wholeheartedly.
We must worship and obey our Lord Jesus Christ and give him the due honor and respect even as we serve our employers and our governments honorably and with integrity. People around us are constantly watching and waiting to see if we will lapse as disciples of Jesus. Many have stumbled and fallen prey to the enemy. Let us live our lives with a clear and firm purpose that we will not be defiled by the ‘gods’ of this world or the things that will drag us down, leading to compromise or worse still, denial of faith that may lead to wreck-less conduct!
I pray that God will keep my purpose firm as reflected in the chorus above and in the hymn below:
O to be like Thee,
O to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer,
Pure as Thou art,
Come in thy sweetness,
Come in thy fulness,
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.
