Sermon On A Steadfast Spirit

Nelson Mandela, a South-African activist and former president once remarked: "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

A steadfast spirit is a state of unwavering resolve, firm belief, and resolute purpose that remains fixed despite challenges. It is characterized by commitment, resilience, and a strong sense of determination in one's spiritual or personal journey. This spirit helps individuals remain committed to their beliefs, maintain inner peace, and act with consistent intention.

Steadfastness is defined as the quality of being unyielding, constant, and unswerving. It is about holding ground and being resolute in personal convictions, loyalty, or goals. It includes allegiance to a particular cause, and devotion to practice. Devotion of practice refers to spiritual activities and rituals that are performed with dedication to express faith and achieve a deeper connection with a higher power, deity, or spiritual concept. It encompasses a wide range of actions, from structured prayers and worship to meditation and community gatherings, and is a fundamental way to express reverence and commitment to personal beliefs. Proverbs 3:25-27 reminds us: Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Resolve is equally important because it is a driving force for achieving goals, navigating challenges, and maintaining mental and emotional strength. It helps one make firm decisions, inspire others, set and maintain boundaries, and persevere through setbacks by providing the determination to learn from mistakes and move forward. Daniel 1:1-16 shows that God is in control of world events, even during times of exile, and that faithfulness to God leads to divine favor and wisdom. The passage describes Daniel and his friends being taken to Babylon, where they face pressure to assimilate by changing their names and eating the king's food, which would have violated their religious laws. They successfully refuse the king's food, and God blesses them with better health and greater wisdom, enabling them to serve in the Babylonian court.

The passage reminds us: “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with some of the vessels of the house of God. And he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and placed the vessels in the treasury of his god. Then the king commanded Ashpenaz, his chief eunuch, to bring some of the people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding learning, and competent to stand in the king's palace, and to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, and of the wine that he drank. They were to be educated for three years, and at the end of that time they were to stand before the king. Among these were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah of the tribe of Judah. And the chief of the eunuchs gave them names: Daniel he called Belteshazzar, Hananiah he called Shadrach, Mishael he called Meshach, and Azariah he called Abednego.

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king's food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs, and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and your drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age? So you would endanger my head with the king.”

Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, “Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our appearance and the appearance of the youths who eat the king's food be observed by you, and deal with your servants according to what you see.” So he listened to them in this matter, and tested them for ten days. At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the king's food. So the steward took away their food and the wine they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.”