Resolve
The fifth definition for this word at m-w.com (That’s Merriam-Webster’s website for short) is "to reach a firm decision"---that which many attempt to do on this first day of every year. People RESOLVE to change their lives in some way. Unfortunately, according to several websites, polls have shown that about 92% of those who make resolutions fail to follow through and that about 45% of them (us) fail by the end of January! Jehoshaphat, Daniel, David and Paul each made a resolution as recorded in the Bible. If you read 2nd Chronicles 20:3, Daniel 1:8, Psalms 17:3 and 1st Corinthians 2:2, you will see what each resolved to do. I believe each of them (except Daniel) stayed true to their convictions more than 31 days.
When Daniel and his three friends made the decision to only eat vegetables and drink only water, it was for only a period of ten days. It was the beginning of a fresh period in his life as David and other strong men of Jerusalem were conscripted to serve the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar who had just captured that great city. In this short period, Daniel and the ‘furnace walkers’, proved that their physical appearance and capabilities improved a lot more than those living off the King’s royal hamburgers, fries and Boone’s Farm apple wine. (Maybe that’s why I didn’t grow stronger during college!) Although it was a relatively short period of only ten days, I am sure there were plenty of times in which Satan tried to pull each away from their decisions. It was probably not easy seeing their other friends and countrymen gorging themselves on the ‘finer’ foods available to the king and his court. But stick through it, they did. Now, if they had attempted this for a full year, or for the rest of their lives, things might have been different. Satan would have had ample opportunities to describe the benefits of Dunkin’ Donuts, Domino’s Pizza, Taco Bell, Church’s Chicken and country fried steaks. And after a few weeks, vegetables and water could lose their appeal.
Why did they succeed? Because they had a realistic goal. Why do 92% of people of today fail what they have decided to do differently starting on the 1st of January? Because most goals are NOT realistic; AND because Satan is still using his tricks. The Fayetteville Church has challenged each of its members today to "leave the past in the past" and start a different path for the rest of our lives. THAT is a long time (well, hopefully for all us it will be a long time, that is). In order to try to meet that goal, each of us will have to constantly watch out for Satan, especially during the first month of any resolution we have made for this year. I’d suggest (as does the church), make ‘simple’ resolutions. Or fewer, at least. I’d suggest to select one thing you want to change in your life, and concentrate on it. Pick a time frame. If it is losing weight, set a realistic goal of pounds to lose, in a realistic, not optimistic, period of time. If it is avoiding a sin, help yourself by refraining for going wherever that is that provides the opportunity for that sin to entice you. If it is reading God’s Word, select a book, a concept, or even a few paragraphs. Do that first, and if you succeed, you can always choose an improved resolution at the beginning of next month. Don’t try to do something in a different fashion for an entire year (and this year is a day longer as it is a leap year); at least not right yet…try it for 31 days, then another, then another, and THEN if you make it all year, congratulate yourself…as a matter of a fact, make sure you reward yourself after those first 31 days if you make it. If 31 is a long period for your resolution, try 10 days….be a Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach, or Abednego. Maybe you can walk through the fires of Satan like they did, simply be selecting a realistic thing in your life to improve.
I made a firm decision to get through this whole lesson without using a very common word…that three-letter word which normally precedes the word ‘year’, and meaning the start of this 366-day time period. You know, Happy ____ Year! Well, I successfully made and completed my first resolution. Good thing I didn’t resolve to refrain from using that word for the rest of the day!