“STEADFAST RESOLVE” | Pastor Renee Danganan

1. Life, surroundings, seasons, situations may change–but our to Christ remains steadfast. 

30 That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain, 31, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty-two. 1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by the exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (Daniel 5:30-6:1-3) 

2. Have a  in your heart to do what is pleasing to God. 

5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man  Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it  cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot  be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king  and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the  next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your  Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands— in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three  times a day.” 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. (Daniel 6:5-13) 

• When you practice a  long enough it becomes an . 

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of  God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ  Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7) 

3) When you honor God, you . 

16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:16-18) 

10 This is what the LORD says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you,  plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b]I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,”  declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into  exile.” (Jeremiah 29:10-14)