Resolve refers to the heart’s decision and commitment to undertake and complete something. Firm resolve is when that decision becomes definitive. Resolve belongs to the realm of will, while firmness belongs to the realm of ratification. For every resolve—and for resolve to become firm—God’s will and decree must take effect. Without God’s will, there can be no resolve, nor can any resolve become firm. Nothing comes to pass without God’s permission.
God’s sovereign dominion means that all His creatures are utterly surrendered to Him. From their first resolve to its confirmation, all beings remain under the encompassing dominion of the Almighty Lord. Unless the All-Dominant wills it, no creature can form or confirm a resolve. God has granted human beings free choice, but to exercise it, the servant must continually remember God, seek His leave and permission, and show the proper courtesy of servanthood.
Thus, permission from God must be granted for every decision. Any resolve made without divine permission is a sign of discourtesy; to resolve without knowing this truth is a sign of presumption. But knowing this truth, and knowing that God, the All-Dominant and Irresistible, has granted us permission to resolve, we may then make our resolve.
إلَهِي كَمْ مِنْ طَاعَةٍ بَنَيْتُهَا وَ حَالَةٍ شَيَّدْتُهَا [شيدتها] هَدَمَ اعْتِمَادِي عَلَيْهَا عَدْلُكَ بَلْ أَقَالَنِي مِنْهَا فَضْلُكَ إِلَهِي إِنَّكَ تَعْلَمُ أَنِّي وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَدُمِ الطَّاعَةُ مِنِّي فِعْلًا جَزْماً فَقَدْ دَامَتْ مَحَبَّةً وَ عَزْماً إِلَهِي كَيْفَ أَعْزِمُ وَ أَنْتَ الْقَاهِرُ وَ كَيْفَ لَا أَعْزِمُ وَ أَنْتَ الْآمِرُ إِلَهِي تَرَدُّدِي فِي الْآثَارِ يُوجِبُ بُعْدَ الْمَزَارِ فَاجْمَعْنِي عَلَيْكَ بِخِدْمَةٍ تُوصِلُنِي إِلَيْك
My God, how many acts of obedience have I established, and how many spiritual states have I made firm—yet Your justice has undone my reliance on them. Indeed, Your grace has freed me from them.
My God, You know that although my obedience has not endured in deed with any certainty, my love and resolve have remained steadfast.
My God, how can I resolve, when You hold power over me? And how can I not resolve, when You have commanded me to?
My God, journeying among the traces of Your creation keeps me from beholding You. So immerse me in service and devotion that will bring me to You.