MAN WITH A PURPOSE 3

HIS PURPOSE WAS NOT PLEASURE

Daniel 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
Daniel 1:8 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 didn't decide to eat pulse and water instead of the Kings best table fare for pleasure. I'm not really sure what pulse is but it doesn't sound all that tasty to me. I am sure the food that was fit for a King was well... just that, fit for a King.
Sometimes we look at what will bring us instant gratification instead of what is best for us in the long run. Looking back over my life I can see where I made some terrible decisions that I am paying for today.
Don't let anyone tell you that there is no pleasure in sin. If it were not pleasurable it would not be a problem to avoid sinning. The point is that sin has built in penalties of it's own. A famous preacher once said, "Sin will take you farther than you want stray, it will keep you longer than you want to stay, and it will cost you more than you want to pay."
Don't look for the instant pleasures in life. Do the right thing and you will be better for it in the long run.