What Are You Serious About?

(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.”

(Acts 13:36) “For David, after he had served God’s purpose in his own generation, died and was buried with his ancestors, and so he experienced decay.”

During my high school graduation, the Dean would say a phrase or two about each student as we walked up to get our diplomas. When my turn came, he said, “Mahesh is a man with a ‘backbone’. When he is convinced and determined to do what is right, he will stand his ground no matter what anyone else says”.

I did not really grasp back then what he said, but years later when I heard the same compliment from a friend, I realized it was a prophetic word God had given the Dean. Without me being aware of it, my greatest testimony to the Hindu community was my passion and complete commitment to Christ and holiness. They knew my past life in the world and were now intrigued at the complete turnaround in my life and how, rejection, financial difficulties, and mockery did not stop me from publically proclaiming my beliefs in Jesus Christ.

If you want people to take you seriously, you have to be constant and show them that you stand up for something. Most of the greatest revolutionaries were not royalty, wealthy, or great intellectuals, but rather simple men and women who stuck to their guns and did not let any adversity, challenge, persecution, or even death stop them from moving forward in what they were fighting for. The great men and women we read about in the Bible were also committed to doing what is right in the eyes of God and withstood all that was thrown at them.

Most of us have become numb to what is going on around us. We don’t really care if people suffer, if there is injustice, if the modern moral system is destroying this generation, and even if we are being taken advantage of. We just go on daily being entertained by TV, social media, and the latest gossip. It’s time to wake up and commit to what God has chosen you for.

Don’t be a waste of space, be someone like David, who decided to influence his generation. And Daniel, who chose not to be dragged into the filth of the modern secular society and mindset by not blindly partaking in what was offered to him.

(“Before you can make a real commitment to anything, you have to overcome three problems:
First, the security trap – Insecure people don’t take a risk! They always have a “Plan B”, in case God doesn’t come through; they depend on things rather than on Him.

Second, the success problem – When you’ve had some success, you want to guard it. You want people to continue thinking well of you, so you start living defensively.

Third, the satisfaction problem – If your life is not touched by need, how can you be moved by the needs of others?” – Bob Gass.)

Society is desperately searching for people with a ‘backbone’ and integrity they can look up to. Are you one of them?

Prayers

• Heavenly Father, Your glory is the earth and heaven. He who said, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. For Your mercy, O Lord which is in the heavens.
• Thank You, Father, that we can take Your laws seriously and stand firm on Your promises.
• Thank You, that You will always deliver us when we commit to Your ways.
• Forgive us for not being serious in our walk with You and for giving up when things get a little tough.
• Help us to stand firm, have integrity and be an example for a world that is seeking something to believe in.
• We declare that we will not defile ourselves with everything the world has to offer us.
• We declare that through You, we will fulfill the purpose for our generation.

• We ask in Jesus’ Mighty name. Amen