Commitment: February 10, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR THURSDAY FEBRUARY 10, 2011

COMMITMENT

DEFINITION:

The act of committing; pledging or engaging oneself; a promise; obligation.

SCRIPTURE:

“Commit yourselves to the Lord and serve Him only.” I Samuel 7:3.

“Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3.

Jesus said: "Whoever commits sin is a slave to sin." John 8:34.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

These three scripture verses give us three ways to look at the word COMMITMENT. First, we are to commit OURSELVES to the Lord. Secondly, we are to commit ALL THAT WE DO to the Lord daily. Thirdly, there is a reminder to us that when we commit sin we become a SLAVE TO SIN.

There are numerous times every day when a commitment to or for something is necessary. The most important commitment that one can make in a lifetime is a firm commitment to God. This is the first step in living a life that is pleasing to God. Making a commitment to God is more than going to church, reading the Bible or even praying. A commitment to God is having a relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ. This is what makes Christianity meaningful, unique and different than all other religions. As we develop a closer relationship with God, He will be able to work in and through us and then we can experience God’s blessings.

Other commitments that are important to make in life is a commitment to your spouse, your family, your neighbors, your church, your school and your job. These commitments are vital for one to live a rewarding and fulfilled life. It means more than a promise. A commitment requires action.

The nation of Israel was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, “to make him into a great nation.” (Genesis 12:2) When God promised Moses that He would deliver the Israelites from slavery under Pharaoh, He reminded Moses that the Israelites were His “own people” (Genesis 6:7) and that He was their God. God’s desire was that the Israelites commit themselves to loving and serving Him and keeping His commandments and then He would bring them safely to the “Promised Land.” The Old Testament covers the history of Israel and vividly portrays how the times of commitment to God brought God’s blessing of protection and victory and how disobedience brought suffering and defeat.

God is faithful and wants to bless us abundantly but we cannot expect Him to bless us when we are not committed to Him. The world offers many distractions that interfere with our commitment to the Lord. It takes conscious effort on our part to be faithful to keep our commitment to the Lord. The Lord deserves our full commitment, not a half-hearted one. 11 Chronicles 16:9 tells us, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” The Lord knows all about each one of us. We cannot hide anything from God anymore than Adam and Eve could hide their sin from God in the Garden of Eden. As the eyes of the Lord search the world today will He find you committed to Him and serving Him faithfully?

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 23:6.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

PRAYER:

We come to You today Lord, to renew our commitment to You to live this day honoring Your name. We ask for strength, that only You can give, for us to meet every commitment we have made for today. We commit our works, our deeds and our thoughts to You. We pray that You will give us opportunities to help others to know You as their Lord. We ask You to bless our family, our friends, our church and the world we live in with a special blessing from You today.