The Power of Consistency

Daniel 1:21

And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

If we were to try and identify what made Daniel great, there would be many answers to this question. His walk with God was certainly one of the main factors that made him great. His stand for right was another factor that made him a great man of God. However, I believe his consistency year in and year out is what made him great. Daniel continued to do what was right, not just one time, but for his entire life. There is not one incident in Daniel’s life you can point to and say that he messed up in that situation. Daniel was consistent throughout his life, and it was that consistency that made him a man that God mightily used for a lifetime.

Many people have done something right one time, but to be consistent for a lifetime is what separates the heroes of the faith from the pretenders of the faith. After Daniel took the stand that he would not eat the portion of the king’s meat, God blessed him and his friends that they appeared ten times better than those who compromised. However, it says about Daniel, And Daniel continued. It was the consistency of his life that allowed him to serve God for decades. Let me share four areas Daniel was consistent in.

First, Daniel was consistent in his testimony. Daniel’s testimony was not just a reputation he built on the outside, but it was a life he also lived in private. You will never have a consistent testimony if you don't live privately what you portray publicly. There have been many who portrayed a life in public that they did not live in private, but it was eventually revealed, as the private life always has a way of leaking out. If you want God to use you mightily, you need to be consistent with your testimony in private and in public.

Second, Daniel was consistent in his stand. Daniel didn't make a stand one time and become silent afterwards, but he continued to stand throughout his lifetimes despite the unfavorable results that would affect the comfort of his life and the position he held. God uses those the mightiest who are consistent in their stand. Many people have made a one-time stand, but your life needs to be a lifetime stand for right if you want God to use you in a great way. Let your stand for truth be a consistent stand, and you will find God’s favor on your life.

Third, Daniel was consistent in his separation from the world. Daniel didn't just separate from the world when he was a young man, but he was consistent in his separation as an older man as he would have nothing to do with Belshazzar. A consistent life of separation is what keeps you from allowing the flesh and worldliness to control your life. If it was right to be separated from the world at one time in your life, it is still right to consistently live a separated life today.

Fourth, Daniel was consistent in his walk with God. I don't know, but I believe this might be the greatest part of Daniel’s life. His walk with God was not something he did when he felt like it, but it was something he did day in and day out, and even when it was unpopular to walk with God. Your walk with God defines your Christian walk. You show me how you walk with God today, and I will show you how God will use you tomorrow. You will never find someone used mightily by God for a lifetime who did not have a consistent walk with God for a lifetime. If there is one area I could challenge you to be consistent in, be consistent in your walk with God for life.