A Steadfast Heart
One thing greatly lacking in our generation today is steadfast Christians. Many are looking for convenient Christianity rather than truly committing to the things of God. Pastors struggle to find servants who are willing to commit to ministry. Very few are willing to remain steadfast in their Christian service and in their commitment to the Word of God. Do you have a steadfast heart, dear friend?
God is looking for ladies who will be firm in their faith and in their convictions. Above all, Ladies who will serve Him with a steadfast and faithful heart.
I Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
The word steadfast means “firm in purpose, resolution, faith, unwavering; firmly established; or firmly fixed in faith or position” (Dictionary.com).
A steadfast lady will remain resolute in her faith and convictions. Fixing her heart firmly upon the truths of God’s Word.
The Psalmist writes of having a heart fixed on God in the following verses:
Psalm 57:7, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.”
Psalm 108:1, “O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.”
Psalm 112:7-8, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.”
What are you fixing your heart upon? Are you firmly establishing it upon the Lord and His Word? Or, are you entangling with the things of this world?
Having a Steadfast Heart Begins with a Decision
Daniel 1:8, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
Daniel is the perfect example of a steadfast Christian. He was taken captive at a young age and brought into the courts of a foreign kingdom. Compromising the principles he had been taught as a young boy would have been very easy. Making a choice to stand firm could have easily resulted in his death. One does not simply defy a king’s orders.
However, Daniel made a decision to remain faithful no matter the cost. He purposed in his heart to stay true to his convictions.
Making a decision to remain steadfast ahead of time will make it much easier to stand when faced with the choice to compromise. However, there may come a time when we must choose to stand alone just as Daniel had to do. Over the last year, many Christians were facing the decision of whether or not to stand for their convictions.
While rapidly changing, the world is stripping away many of our religious freedoms. We must make a choice now to stand strong in the truth’s of God’s Word.
A Steadfast Heart Requires a Determination
Not only did Daniel make a choice to stand for truth, but he was firmly resolute in this decision. Determining to remain steadfast no matter what that choice cost him.
The devil is roaming about seeking those whom he might devour. The only way we are going to defeat him is by standing determinately upon the truth of God’s Word.
I Peter 5:8-9, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
If we are going to have a steadfast heart for God, we must determine to be obedient unto His Word. As more and more time goes by and the world gets further away from God, the cost of being obedient is going to be even greater.
By choosing obedience to God’s Word, Daniel remained resolved in his determination. However, not only was he obedient, but he did so with the right spirit. As a result, God greatly used him. While kingdoms rose and fell, God preserved Daniel because of his testimony of faithfulness.
Remaining Steadfast Requires a Deepening of Our Roots
Psalm 37:31, “The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.”
If we are going to withstand the pressures of compromise around us, we must dig our roots deep into the Word of God. This begins with reading, memorizing, and meditating upon God’s Word. And then applying these truths to our hearts through obedience.
Psalm 1:2-3, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”
A Christian who delights in the Word of God and applies its truth to her life will live a prosperous and fruitful spiritual life. The deeper our roots grow into the Word of God, the more fruit our branches will bear. The deeper a tree’s root system is, the easier it is to withstand the pressures from the storm around it.
How deep is your root system? Will it be able to withstand the pressures when trials and temptations come?
In order not to succumb to the pressures around us we must:
- Know what we believe
- Have a deep relationship with God
- Have His Word written on the tables of our hearts
- Utilize the power of prayer
Closing Thoughts…
Psalm 78:8 & 37, “And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.”
Sadly, these verses are very applicable to our generation today. For the vast majority, their hearts are not aright, and their spirits are not steadfast with God.
Are you willing to stand against the norm and have a heart that is steadfastly fixed on the Lord?
May God grant each of us a steadfast heart as we seek His face and grow deeper in our walk with Him!
