But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 NIV
Today is a popular time to take stock of where we are in life and consider the changes we need to make to get where we want to be. Thousands of people will make New Year’s resolutions, and a large majority of them will be forgotten by February 1st. But resolve is a powerful Biblical concept that, when taken seriously, can give us strength and equip us to make good decisions.
Let’s consider how resolve played out in the lives of some of our Biblical heroes. As a young man in a difficult situation, Daniel determined right from the start that he would not defile himself. His resolve to please the Lord lasted for years and helped him remain faithful, even in the face of the lion’s den. The resolve of Daniel’s three friends led them into the fiery furnace, and back out again, unharmed! Joseph’s resolve caused him to run from Potiphar’s wife and kept him from sinning against God.
Consider Paul’s resolve when he faced angry mobs, endured stoning, and was thrown into prison. Paul encourages all of his to share his resolve when he writes:
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV
Joshua put it this way:
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
How about you? Will you choose today to serve the Lord faithfully and walk in His ways? Will you run from sin, like Joseph, and resolve not to defile yourself, like Daniel? Will you stand firm, like Paul, letting nothing move you away from your walk with Christ? If you make these determinations today and resolve in your heart to serve the Lord faithfully in 2019, you will find yourself following in the footsteps of some very special men!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you also. Thanks so much for the scriptural admonitions you have been providing.
To walk in the light is to have enough information about your path to avoid many pitfalls.
Absolutely, and there’s no better lamp to light the way than God’s Word!