Commitment: July 24, 2012

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY JULY 24, 2012.

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.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

These two 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 through His 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.

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 14 what He meant by true commitment and it would come at a cost. He told them that nothing, even their love for their father or mother could take precedence over loyalty to Him. In order to follow Jesus as one of His disciples it was necessary for them to commit to put Jesus first in their lives above everything else.  To be a faithful and true follower of Jesus today demands this same commitment.

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. II 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 Romans 8:28.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, I want to follow You and serve You. Enable me to stay strong in my faith. Shield me from Satan’s temptations so that I will not be drawn away from my commitment to love You and serve You and put You first in my life.