But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). What lessons we can learn from brother Daniel, with his personal conviction to stay true to God, Daniel did not act unseemingly, he did not try to gather a crowd to watch him refuse, we do not read where he went around talking to others to follow him stirring up the emotions of others. Daniel approached the king’s eunuchs and stated his convictions and would take whatever followed if his request was granted and failed. One person said if Daniel was a speaker in our day, he would say, “I would rather be a captive in Babylon in the will of God than to be free in Jerusalem out of the will of God”. My friend, have we “purposed in our hearts” to be who God is called us to be? Have you purposed in your heart this morning to not defile yourself with the things of this world? Have you purposed in your heart this morning to walk in holiness before God? Job said, “I made a covenant with mine eyes” (Job 31:1). We can have calmness and walk in peace when we are in the will of God. There is a calm/quiet power that comes upon us as we walk in the Power of the Holy Spirit of God. My brother and sister, let’s purpose in our hearts and make a covenant with ourselves that we will walk in the holiness of God that will bring calmness and confidence in the power of God. One person stated, “A man of God in the will of God is immortal until his work on earth is done.” When you are standing on the “Rock” (Jesus Christ), the winds may blow, the storms may come, but it will not blow your house down. Lord, this morning I pray for the readers of this devotion that we would purpose in our hearts to be the children of God in the face of a storm when we are all by ourselves when we think it is dark and no one can see help us to still act like your children in Jesus’ Name Amen. Be Blessed in Jesus Name!