HIDDEN AGENDA
Daniel 1

In these days of wickedness, self-centeredness is the key that many carry around in life. Oftentimes, hidden agenda is inhabited in self-centeredness regardless if it is a believer or a non believer. Self-centeredness is not of God and it is not a character of God required love. Young Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among the sons of Judah that were taken as captives from Jerusalem to Babylon. They were young enough to defile God and define themselves as victim of parental or generational sin. They were young enough to forsake their understanding and knowledge of God with the excuse of being taken captive. However, in their captivity they did not turn away from their God. Also, it was in their captivity they were considered young in whom there was no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. Having been considered, the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: “…he gave Daniel the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abed-Nego.” (Daniel 1:7) When your heart is set for God your name can be changed and those that do not know your God can choose to call you what they want but your heart must remain intact with no compromise. As if name change was not enough, what they fed on was set for a change. In an attempt of changing their diet as required by the King, the Bible recorded that, “But 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.” (Daniel 1:8) Daniel and his friends were in position to forget where they were coming from and respond to the momentary good life that was before them and live like captain but not as captive. Daniel and his three friends loved their God and there was no self-centeredness or any hidden agenda but to give their all to God. Whenever we choose not to defile God in our ways He will not diminish us. With Daniel’s response against defiling His God, the Bible stated that, “Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” (Daniel 1:9) From the moment Daniel responded with no hidden agenda, favor did not depart Daniel and his three friends all the days of their life. Every man’s heart demands a very careful and most diligent guidance. Proverbs could not state it better when it says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

Prayer for today: Father, I ask in Jesus name for increase in the grace to keep my heart with all diligence.