"As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51, NIV) "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself." (Daniel 1:8. ESV) I do everything within my power to learn from Jesus. When I read the scriptures, I look out for ways I could learn from Jesus. I look out for His personality traits, mannerism, modes of teaching, lifestyle... anything or anywhere I could better my life with His examples. And in the preceding scripture, I found one attribute I couldn't overlook: resolution. Resolution refers to a passionate determination. The Google dictionary defines resolution as "a firm decision to do or not to do something"; "the quality of being determined or resolute". The passage (in Luke 9:51) speaks of how Jesus resolutely set out to die in Jerusalem. It speaks of how Jesus in spite of what He knew was going to befall Him, despite the difficulties that was awaiting Him, he set out with strong determination to accomplish His purpose. Many people respond to difficulties in fear. But Jesus teaches us to face difficulties with a resolution - a strong determination to win. .
Resolve to make a difference. Resolve not to be deterred. Resolve to accomplish your purpose. Resolve to live a godly life. In my experience, nothing noteworthy takes place until someone resolves to make them happen. Even the promises of God on your life will not come to pass until you resolve that they must surely come to pass. God deals with resolute men and women. People who are ready to lay it all down for His divine purpose. A break through takes a resolution. Man's salvation was only possible because Jesus resolved to die. He said, "No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded." (John 10:18, NLT). It was His decision. His resolution!