Steadfast

<<unwavering, persistent>>

A steadfast person has tenacity, and commitment, so is reliable and consistent, remaining faithful even when there appears to be little progress. Their core values form the basis of their self-discipline and drive. Joseph’s character and faith in

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me – Psalm 51:10

the God-given dreams enabled him to maintain his integrity and faith in God through the years of slavery and unjust imprisonment. We too should be focused by holding to the Lord’s direction, remaining faithful to His call on our life and not continually changing course.

Jesus knew His mission on earth and unflinchingly proceeded to complete it (Lk 9:51). He also says to all who would be His followers, "Take up your cross and follow me" (Lk 9:23). Am I consistently doing this?

A steadfast person knows what the Bible teaches and will not be vulnerable to deception or “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching” (Mt 22:29; 2 Cor 11:3; Eph 4:14). Those whose foundation is securely grounded in the truth of the Bible have allowed its truth to become part of them, shaping their thinking and actions. They are aware Satan uses Scripture for his own purposes, twisting it to sound as though it says something it doesn’t say (Lk 4:9-11). Thus we should be grow dailying in our understanding of Him and the “whole counsel of God” (His Word) so that we will remain faithful to the end (Jn 8:31; Act 20:27; 2 Pet 1:2, 3:18; 1 Jn 2:24).

The three Jewish men were steadfast and held to their conviction, "We will not serve or worship your gods" even as they were being thrown into the furnace (Dan 3:17,18). While God miraculously rescued them, many others, both recorded in the Bible and since, have forfeited their earthly lives as martyrs by remaining committed to their allegiance to Christ (Act 7:59,60; Heb 11:35-40).

Do I have the determination expressed by Paul when he said about his walk with the Lord, “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:12-14). Nothing was going to deter him from the goal. Our faith and hope in God’s promises are like an anchor for our soul providing

How steadfast am I?

steadfast security in Him who can “make you strong, firm and steadfast” (Heb 6:19; 1 Pet 5:10). “Stand firm. Let nothing move you” (1 Cor 15:58).