LIKE A FLINT

MEMORY VERSE: For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: II Chronicles 25-28

Two things are needful if you are going to become who God created you to be: Decision and Determination. Once these two are in place, one becomes unstoppable. Why are these two very crucial to success? God abhors 'sitting on the fence'. Revelations 3:16 says, “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” As far as God is concerned, it is better for a man to be cold than to be lukewarm. Lukewarmness is a form of indecisiveness. You want to be the best you can be for Jesus? Make a decision today. Make a decision today that you will be different in this generation. Make a decision today that you will read your bible daily. Make a decision that you will fast once a week. Make a decision that you will do one personal night vigil every month. A decision to do the right thing will put you on the path to greatness but determination – a strong one- will keep you on the path. On your route to greatness, you will find a lot of road blocks, ups and downs, disappointing moments, stressful moments, etc. Without  strong determination, you may turn back. 

Isaiah 50:7 says, “For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.” Certain things happen the moment a man make up his mind to do something or achieve something, and he is determined. One of them is God backs such fellow up. Daniel made up his mind not to eat the king’s meal. He was so determined that he told the eunuch in charge that he will not touch the food offered to idols (Daniel 1:8-14). What did the Lord do? He backed Daniel and his friends up and gave them favor in the presence of the eunuch. Verse 14 says, “So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.” In addition, things/ circumstances suddenly begins to work in your favor. Doors suddenly begin to open. Doors that have refused to open to others will begin to open to you as a result of your determination. 

In addition, fire loses his ability to consume you. The three Hebrew boys (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) decided not to bow to Nebuchadnezzar's image. When the king threatened to throw them into the fiery furnace - because they were so determined- they told him “be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up” (Daniel 3:18). They threw them into fire, and the fire did nothing except burn the ropes that were used to tie them. When you are determined, instead of the fire to destroy you it will  burn the ropes that have been used to tie you and you become a wonder. The moment a man makes up his mind to do something and he is determined in his heart, God strengthens the fellow to do the thing - even at times when it is very difficult. Because Ruth determined in her heart to remain with Naomi all the days of her life, God gave her the strength to carry on even when Orpah looked back and returned to her people. According to our bible text,  when a man sets his face as a flint, shame leaves his boat and glory enters. Shame left Ruth’s life and glory came in; she married and became the great grandmother of King David.  

NOTE: Success in any endeavour is not for those who want it. It is simply for those who are determined i.e. those who are willing to pay the price. Everyone wants to succeed but only the determined and diligent end up succeeding. Success is for those who will continue long after others have quit. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world