RESOLVE TO STAND OUT

Dearly Beloved, RESOLVE TO STAND OUT "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way" (Daniel 1:8 NIV). The people of Judah were led into exile in captivity because of their disobedience to God. The temple of God and the city of Jerusalem - the prides of Israel - were destroyed. The self-esteem of the people was dented. They were no longer a nation free of external forces. In fact, they were now captives in a foreign land. They could not worship their God in the way they preferred, and their children were now slaves that were serving their captors. In spite of these predicaments, Daniel and his colleagues resolved to distinguish themselves in that foreign land in not defiling themselves with things that seemed ordinary but that could make them be far from their God. These four Jewish young men were not like many people today that are ready to do anything that is in vogue. They resolved to stand out, and God rewarded them with prestige and position of authority in that land of captivity. Are you also ready to resolve to stand out in this depraved world? The Bible says, "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong" (Exodus 23:2 NIV). Resolve to stand out for God in refusing to do even those seeming good things that can tarnish the image of God in you. Joshua told the people of Israel, "But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15 NIV). Resolve to stand out for God! In His service, Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor). Prayer Point: Lord, help me to resolve to stand out to do your will even when it is contrary to what is in vogue.