Surprised by Joy
April 18, 2024
The Unswayed Heart
April 21, 2018
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. – DANIEL 1:8
Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford used to laugh at Bobby Richardson. I was once Richardson’s pastor, and he invited me to sit in on a reminiscing session with his old baseball colleagues. Mantle and Ford chuckled as they recalled how, as pro players traveling the nation, they could go anywhere and do anything between games. But Bobby Richardson would find a church with a Bible study or prayer meeting in session. “Something’s wrong with you,” they kidded Bobby. Later in life, Mantle decided there was something wrong about his own heart. Throughout his adult life, Mickey fought alcohol abuse, and passed the problem on to family members. Toward his life’s end, Mickey declared no one should look at him as a role model.
I couldn’t help but reflect on the conversation years before, and the sparkling example of Bobby Richardson. As a godly man, like young Daniel, he had set his heart in the concrete of a commitment not to be defiled by the culture. Fame gobbled up Mickey Mantle, but Bobby Richardson was unswayed because he had set his heart on the Lord.
Today’s Focus
Declare to the Lord your determination not to be gobbled up by fallen culture but to stand as a godly person in the midst of it. Ask for His strength.
