FAITH CAPSULE: Growth in the grace of God will come with steadfastness of one’s faith.

Daniel 1

It is written,“In righteousness you shall be established…” (Isaiah 54:14) Reading through the word of God can be compared to skimming through the surface of a ground that is treasure inhabited. While studying the word of God can be compared to engaging all that it takes to discover inhabited treasure in the word of God. It is also an understanding to engage in studying the word. However, to unearth the treasure that is inhabited also demands understanding. Understanding is the key, everything we do in the Lord with a lack of understanding will result to a lack of transformation. Psalm 47:7 stated, “For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding.” If praise worship requires understanding, every other area such as studying the word of God surely requires understanding.
The Bible states, “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory now and forever…” (2Peter 3:18) Clearly, through studying the word of God there will be growth in the knowledge of God. However, growth in the grace of God will come with steadfastness of one’s faith. Just by studying alone will not help directly in the growth of grace. The book of 2 Peter 3:17-18 statesbetter, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” Clearly, among ways that growth in grace increase is to be Steadfast in the Lord.
Describing steadfastness: Steadfastness is to be fixed in direction; firm in purpose, unwavering, firmly established or firmly fixed in faith. When you have a purpose in life then you will be fixed in taking a deliberate walk in the direction of your purpose. Daniel a young captive in the hand of king Nebuchadnezzar had a purpose to live for God. When he was offered the best food and wine which the king had, he declined and requested to eat vegetables and drink water instead, so that it would not defy his purpose. It was recorded of him, “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” (Daniel 1:8) Daniel’s steadfastness could not be compromised with the king’s offer. The chief of eunuchs granted Daniel’s request and he prevailed. Daniel was steadfast and the grace of God upon his life had no bounds or limitation. With steadfastness Daniel was established in righteousness to the glory of God. Purpose for God and be established for God.

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to be steadfast walking in the word of God.