But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Daniel 1:8
The Hebrew word for ‘resolved’ here is way-yā-śem which it’s root is about purpose and being ‘set – be put in place’. Daniel purposed in his heart to stay true to God.
Have you decided what your heart needs to be ‘set upon’? Is the Holy Spirit bringing you into ALL spiritual knowledge? Are you aware when the Holy Spirit wants to ‘talk’ with you? Did you know it is very common for the Holy Spirit to come to you when you are not expecting Him? When you’re busy with some mindless daily routine task — then all of sudden the Holy Spirit drops the Truth on you. Do you stop long enough to have a conversation with Him about what He just dropped into your heart? We must learn to give Him the priority of our moments. Who or what is more important to you.. than Him?
We are increasingly busy and distracted in this modern life – where technology has invaded every second of our lives. Do you seek Him where there are no distractions? Do you have ‘mindless’ duties where you are available to have a conversation with Him. Driving? My suggestion? Turn off the music / voices — and pray. Purpose in you heart to put Him first. Washing the dishes? Doing yard work? Vacuuming the house? These are all opportunities to ‘set your mind on Him’ and … pray. He wants you to spend the day with Him. That’s why you were created .. to have fellowship / koinonia with Him, to experience His love for you. Even if these tasks are but a few minutes .. are you willing to set yourself into prayer? Are you willing to be aware and actively listening to Him in those spaces / moments?
Is your heart resolved to know Him more? The only way that will happen is through the Holy Spirit’s work in your life. Through that relationship with the Holy Spirit we begin to ‘know’ Him. Are you taking notes when He shares with you? Do you write down the very things He is saying to you.. in a journal? Why not? Is it not important to revisit those things with Him? To press in deeper for understanding? To search the scriptures to learn how those issues have been dealt with before?
Prayer. Scriptures. Pondering the things God that He has put in front of you and how He wants you to deal with them. Asking Him to show you. This is ALL a process with Him while we live in this state of flesh and blood.
We are to be going from steps of faith and obedience to greater steps of faith and obedience. Ever learning and growing in the knowledge of Him and His ways. It’s like being mentored by God everyday. Like an apprentice mechanic who works alongside the Master mechanic all day long. The Holy Spirit is teaching us His ways of doing things .. when we listen to Him. Are you resolved to listen to Him and actually DO what He is prompting you to do?
Determine in your heart today what is most important to you. The revelation is for YOU, because God already knows what your heart is set upon. When He reveals our hearts … it’s time to press into what He is calling us to do. Repent? Cast out those things He is calling you to separate from? Take a ‘pause’ on certain relationships? Press into certain things He is calling you to?
All you have is the present moment. Where is you focus? Can He be ever present there as well? Where is there that God isn’t? Are you aware of Him at all times? This needs to become a spiritual discipline for all of us.