THE POWER OF DETERMINATION

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank…” ~ Daniel 1:8

REFERENCE:

Daniel 1:8-16

When a man makes up his mind, it becomes difficult to refuse, dissuade, or knock him off his course. Our mind is so strong that it sets the course for our lives. Whatever his mind allows becomes permitted in a man’s life, and the same is true for whatever he disallows.

The Living Bible says, “But Daniel made up his mind not to eat the food and wine given to them by the king.” In other words, Daniel determined what he would allow or disallow, and that decision changed his life. Determination means firmness of purpose. It is controlling or deciding the outcome of a thing and the tendency to move in a fixed direction. Daniel made up his mind that he would not eat meat sacrificed to idols. With that determination, he set the direction his life would go and decided his outcome in life. He lived a life that was outstanding.

When a man determines to do something, heaven backs him up, and protocol is broken for him. Daniel should not expect the chief of the eunuchs to change his official diet, but because he purposed to please God, he found favor. A determined man finds a way where there seems to be none. Note: the chief of the eunuchs refused his request, but Daniel proceeded to the steward in charge (vs. 11) with the same request, who eventually granted the request (perhaps, at the expense of his job). That is the power of determination. It finds a way.

Many of us struggle to make up our minds on issues because we have not set a value-based philosophy that guides our lives and actions. Daniel’s value system was rooted in his fear of God; hence, he could determine that he would not eat meat sacrificed to idols. Determination is what you do before you find yourself in a scenario. Before Daniel ever ate his first meal in Babylon, he determined what he would not eat. This decision distinguished Daniel for the rest of his personal and political life. Various kings sought his service, wisdom, and counsel.

Determination is an essential part of success. It motivates us to make changes that improve our lives and be dogged in our pursuits. Tony Robbins said, “Determination is the wake-up call to the human will.” When you determine to do a thing, all of life will answer you, doors will open to you, and men will favor you. Taking ‘No’ for an answer ceases to be an option. When you get knocked down, determination pulls you up; when you meet a roadblock, it finds a way. Determine what you want, your boundaries, where you want to go, and who you are; then watch how heaven and earth will cooperate to ensure you succeed.

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Luke 11:5-8, Matthew 7:7 (AMP), and Ruth 1:16-18

PRAYERS:

+ Ask God for discipline to keep your mind focused on one thing. The important thing.

+ Ask God for inner strength to be resolute and determined in pursuing God’s cause for your life.

+ Father, let me begin to experience success in causes I have given myself to over the years.