The meaning of resolution can vary dramatically depending on the sphere in which it is used. Interestingly, Daniel experienced resolution in many ways when he resolved to serve God continually…even in Babylon.

Being resolved is critical to our daily walk with God…and Daniel shows us that nothing can prepare us for a lion’s den of troubles like cultivating a rhythm of worship, a continual serving of God.

Daniel 1:8 records that Daniel resisted the carnal temptation to personal luxury by making a prior resolution of will to serve God continually, not just in the corners of his life, but at the epicenter of his every action. In a world of political pressures, he had one master, not two. No division. No competition for his allegiance. God alone mattered. Can we say the same?

A pattern of serving God is visible to others (Daniel 6). Daniel’s critics saw and plotted a lion’s den, but in Daniel 6: 16b, “The king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!’”

God rescued Daniel and in light of this, the king proclaimed, “In every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever” (Daniel 6:26).

A rhythm of worship anchors our souls so that when dissonant voices call out in conflict, confusion, or criticism, we will find our hope in God and trust in Him as our ultimate resolution.

Suffering has been a hallmark of God’s faithful people throughout history. Loved by God and yet appointed to suffer for Him. Why is that a logical connection?

In Romans 8:36, “it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” This statement of suffering is placed in the middle of what looks like a multiple choice question in a test of faith:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (v. 35)

a) Trouble
b) Hardship
c) Persecution
d) Famine
e) Nakedness
f) Danger
g) Sword
h) None of the above, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (v. 37).

Look at the list again. Christians are on a constant, irrevocable trajectory of eternal life. Things may happen along the way to highlight the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus which can only be plumbed in its every dimension by facing the physical, emotional, spiritual, and perseverance multiple choice testing of our faith.

Our hope in Christ will not be changed by anything. His love is deep and unchanging so we can proclaim along with the Apostle Paul, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 8:38-39.