✝ Daily Encouragement (1/3/24) "Steadfast" (Part 2)

Published: Wed, 01/03/24

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Wednesday, January 3, 2024

"Steadfast"

(Part 2)

Message summary: God's steadfastness is a great motivation for our own steadfastness.

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"I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end" (Daniel 6:26).

This week we are considering a single word, "steadfast". The word steadfast used a total of 208 times in the Bible (ESV). BTW, in the KJV the word is spelled "stedfast".

In most of the Old Testament "steadfast" is used as an attribute of God forming the two words, "steadfast love". These two words are found in greatest concentration in Psalm 136 where each of the 26 verses concludes with "for His steadfast love endures forever". This is also in the theme verse we used last year from Lamentations 3: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases".

But today let us consider a verse uttered by an unlikely source, King Darius the Mede. This follows Daniel's deliverance from the den of lions. Witnessing the mighty miracle he had a personal awakening and issued an edict with one of the strongest faith statements in the entire Bible:

"Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.

I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:25-27).

All versions do not all use the word "steadfast" in this passage as some use phrases like "enduring forever". The Amplified version uses "enduring and steadfast forever".

The word "steadfast" translates a Hebrew word that is used only once in the Old Testament. Interestingly, these words were uttered by a secular ruler.

According to dictionary.com, "steadfast" means to be firm in purpose, resolution – unwavering. Here's an expansion from that dictionary that blesses me, "Steadfast, staunch, steady imply a sureness and continuousness that may be depended upon. Steadfast literally means fixed in place, but is chiefly used figuratively to indicate undeviating constancy or resolution: steadfast in one's faith."

What great assurance the steadfastness of our God brings to the trusting heart! Taking just these words from our daily text which are timelessly true, "For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end."

In the New Testament this is expressed as a prayer for ourselves and for each reader, “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5 ).

God's steadfastness is a great motivation for our own steadfastness which we will consider in the next two messages.

Be encouraged today, Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, what great joy and peace comes when we realize that You are always steadfast and You hold us in Your firm grip. You are the only wise God our Savior in whom we can truly ascribe glory, majesty, power and authority through Jesus Christ our Lord in all generations both now and forevermore. Because You are holy and surrounded by holy we can fully surrender our lives to You. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Steadfast God" Watch on YouTube Breakaway Worship

We declare Your love is never ending
Our praise will rise, we sing it in the morning
This is who You are
From life to death, Your faithfulness surrounds me
I lift my hands and praise You in the evening
This is who You are
You are a steadfast God

"Holy Forever" Watch on YouTube CeCe Winans

"Surrounded By Holy" Watch on YouTube Zahriya Zachary

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