Resolve

It is a story that I have heard since I was child. The one about Daniel being thrown into the den of lions after a law was passed in the kingdom of King Nebuchadnezzar that said no one could petition to another God. But Sunday, at our church in Austin, Brad Thomas put a different spin on it, that I cannot quit thinking about. Daniel was a great man of faith and prayer. When he had to choose between praying to God or facing death for his beliefs, he was faithful to God. He was protected all night by an angel when he was thrown in a den of lions. This was in chapter 6 of Daniel. But the point made was this would not have happened in Chapter 6 unless Daniel had not done what he had done in Chapter 1:8. There, Daniel resolved. He would not defile himself of royal rations of food and drink and he asked the palace master permission to do so. God allowed Daniel to receive favor....of but the jealousy came because Daniel was so favored by the king and a manipulative effort was made to trick the king to make a law that would placate harm to Daniel.

He showed a University of Texas game clip from many years back where Texas was playing Virginia, and the score was 14 to 16, Virginia, with only seconds left in the game. Texas had the ball and the pressure was on the field goal kicker, Dalton who happens to be a friend of Thomas'. And Brad told a story of Dalton, when early on his accolades were being acknowledged as a major benefit to his team and contender for greater things. Playboy offered him a sweet money deal and he had to make a decision to accept it or not. His priorities were already resolved. His values and character dominated his decision, and he turned it down. It is when we are aptly tested in the little things that we are made ready to be tested for the bigger things. Dalton's character, practice time, work ethic, dedication to being his best and loyalty had already been resolved. So when the spotlight hit in this game, and there he was in what appreared to a pressured state he was ready for it! He had been tested time and time before, had practiced, his mind was straight and he had the confidence to yield his ability and strength to the goal set before him. Texas won but even if they had not, the kicker was prepared for the face to face encounter in the spotlight.

Brad asked: "are you ready when the spotlight hits". Have you been faithful in the little things and are you ready when the big things hit? Are you resolved to do God's will and be obedient? Everyday we are given opportunities to be in God's spotlight and do the right thing. But we have to be prepared before the spotlight hits. We have to be resolved to seeking God's will and trusting him in spite of the circumstances before us. He gave an example of someone who had made a great list of resolutions. I resolve to do this or that and they were all good things. But I couldn't help but think we are only so strong in our ability to overcome situations and circumstances that overshadow us, we always need the power of Christ, the strength of Christ, the wisdom of Christ to STAY resolved.

It is a national tradition to casually embark on New Year's resolutions, but this word "resolve" hits me in a much stronger manner. What am I willing to resolve in my everyday walk. That I will hold my tongue? That I will give a pass to a personal injustice? That I will consider others greater than myself? That I will trust God in spite of the chaos that is twirling around me? These are all good resolutions, but I am a lightweight in carrying them through. I need God's help on every front. We all will be in a spotlight this week, and have an opportunity to do a right thing instead of making a decision to do a wrong one or a selfish one. The question will be: am I resolved, with God's help to stay on His course and disregard my prideful attitude? The answers to all the questions come down to this: I have to resolve my stance and my course of action, in the power and strength of God, before the spotlight hits. I have to be prepared and practice in the little arena's that I am confronted with, and then I will be able to confidently apply the truths I have learned to the confronting giants that I face.

1 Corinthians 2: 1- 5
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.


Dear Lord, I am resolved to seeking your way and obeying it but I cannot do it without your help.Amen

Praise God wherever you are or whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . For His Glory will shine through!

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