Nothing gets accomplished until it is first purposed by someone. In other words, no purpose no progress. The Bible underscores the importance of this subject as it points us to several persons who accomplished great things through purpose. David purposed to keep his tongue in his cheeks. “You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” (Psalms 17:3 NKJV). On his part, Solomon’s chief aim was to execute the one thing on his father’s bucket list that he could not fulfill – the building of the temple. “And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.” (1 Kings 5:5 KJV).

Nothing gets accomplished until it is first purposed by someone. In other words, no purpose no progress…living a life that pleases God or attaining some great feats starts with a purpose of heart.

Our text captures the stated purpose of Daniel and his three friends in Babylon. Though captives, theirs was with a difference. They had free access to the king’s dainties. The only challenge was that those meals were offered to idols before consumption. That violated the dietary and religious laws that Daniel grew up with. At the risk of incurring the king’s anger, he purposed to abstain from the delicacies and opted for simple vegetables. Here is the emphasis: living a life that pleases God or attaining some great feats starts with a purpose of heart.