Jotham grew powerful because he was determined to please the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 (NET)
Determined is a good word. Some synonyms for determined include decisive, purposeful, resolute, steadfast, and even tenacious. Determination begins with a decision that we resolve to follow through to completion.
The Bible gives us examples of determined people. Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. Daniel 1:8 (NLT) When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. Ruth 1:18 (NIV)
Daniel and Naomi are two examples of individuals who made good decisions and steadfastly followed through with their commitments. We would like to think that if we are determined to please God, things will turn out like they did for Jotham. However, real determination is not conditional upon the outcome. We must resolve to do what is right regardless of what happens to us.
Our Determined Example
In Luke, we read, As the time approached when Jesus was to be taken up into heaven, he determined to go to Jerusalem. Luke 9:51 (CEB).
Interestingly, Luke describes this season of Jesus’ life in terms of the ascension rather than the crucifixion or even resurrection. Other translations say, “He steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem.” This was the scriptural fulfillment of Isaiah 50:7.
Jesus knew what he faced when he arrived in Jerusalem, but he was not thinking about himself or feeling sorry for himself. He understood his purpose and destiny; nothing would deter him from his goal. Indeed, the plans and intentions of our lives may not be comparable, but nevertheless, we can learn some lessons about determination and single-hearted purpose from Christ’s journey to Jerusalem.
From the beginning of his life, Jesus was controlled by a master purpose and desire. Even as a young boy who stayed behind in Jerusalem at the temple, He asked his parents, “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Although he had been to Jerusalem many times, and this was his last journey, he still took the time to minister to people. He healed the sick, strengthened the weary, and encouraged the brokenhearted.
Jesus did have options. He could’ve called upon a multitude of angels to rescue him, but instead, he chose the joy that was set before him, and with determination, he endured the cross and all that it entailed for us. His example must inspire us to finish our course with determination in the face of whatever obstacles or opposition may come away.
Determined to Find Wisdom
I have always tried my best to let wisdom guide my thoughts and actions. I said to myself, “I am determined to be wise.” But it didn’t work. Wisdom is always distant and difficult to find. I searched everywhere, determined to find wisdom and to understand the reason for things. I was determined to prove to myself that wickedness is stupid and that foolishness is madness. Ecclesiastes 7:23–25 (NLT)
The Preacher in Ecclesiastes proclaimed that he was determined to be wise. It was not an easy endeavor because wisdom is hard to find, especially if you look in the wrong places. Solomon understood the importance of seeking wisdom, but even though he became wise in many ways, it was not profitable for him in the end. He was wise in the things of the world but not in the things of God.
James wrote: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. James 3:17 (CSB). Determination is good when seeking the right things, like wisdom from above. However, we must be cautioned against pursuing things stubbornly, even rebelliously, for our benefit.
The determined pursuit of godly wisdom is recognized by the fruit that it bears. It is described by words like pure, peaceful, gentle, and so on. We must be determined to find and pursue things that please God.
Be Steadfast
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (CSB)
Some may remember this old hymn, which is rarely sung anymore:
I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world’s delight;
Things that are higher, things that are nobler,
These have allured my sight.
I am reminded of what Hebrews says regarding Moses: By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. Hebrews 11:24–25 (MSG).
To live for Christ requires determination and making hard choices. There is an attractiveness to the things of this world. It is true that God has planted eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), but it is sometimes difficult to ignore the enticement of the world.
It is when we have our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus that we can find the determination to keep moving forward. In the words of another song, “I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back.”
Focus on the Goal
We can accomplish much when we are determined. For better or worse, determination and perseverance produce results. We should be determined to find wisdom, but wisdom from above rather than worldly wisdom.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)
Life has many distractions, but once we have set Christ as our goal, we must not waver. We have many examples of those who have gone before us, both good and bad. Paul gave this tribute to Abraham: He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. Romans 4:20–21 (CSB)
Steve Ekeroth