Day 12 - Commitment (Pt. 2)
>>Daily Theme | Commitment (Pt. 2)
>>Memory Scripture | Psalms 34:15-20
>>Read | 1 Samuel 1:1 - 2:11
>>Devotional Reading |
As we near the end of our time of consecration, our last three days focus on commitment, discipline and celebration. When the end is in sight, it is easy to focus on returning back to our “regular” routine, yet this focus can cause us to miss out on opportunities to walk in lifelong transformation. As with any race, the task of training and running the race requires a daily resolve to commit all of our ways unto God. In Luke 9, Jesus said “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” With a daily commitment to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we experience the richness of His mercies that are new every morning.
So why focus on commitment twice during our time of consecration? Because, as humans, we are prone to make errors in our commitments and mis-prioritize our affections. For example, we can be prone to overcommit and discover that the journey is much more difficult than we thought. In other cases, we need to re-commit as we receive the blessings that we have asked for. Moses instructed the Isrealites that they should be careful after receiving the promises of God to not fall away and worship other Gods. (Deuteronomy 6)
Another challenge in the area of commitment is ensuring that we are committing “everything” to the Lord. While we often are willing to commit our plans to the Lord, we sometimes withhold committing the process of getting there. Moses also reminded the Isrealites that the blessings that they were going to receive were a result of God’s handiwork and not their own self effort:
a land with large, flourishing cities YOU DID NOT build,
houses filled with all kinds of good things YOU DID NOT provide,
wells YOU DID NOT dig, and
vineyards and olive groves YOU DID NOT plant
Our commitment to the Lord in 2011 must include a resolve to let God work in his way and not under our own control. While we must be careful to obey God’s voice and instructions during the process, ultimately it is not our own efforts which guarantee victory in the end.
Hannah was a woman who understood the nature of renewed commitment unto the Lord. Hannah had become bitter and sorrowful because the Lord had closed her womb and she was barren. While praying to the Lord, she promised that if the Lord would give her a son that she would give him to the Lord for all the days of his life. While that commitment was easy to make before the promise came, it was a difficult faith step to take after the child was born. Nonetheless, after the child was weaned, Hannah re-affirmed her commitment to dedicate her son, Samuel, unto the Lord.
Commitment is not a one-time occasion but a daily resolve. As the Lord gives us vision and insight, we must constantly assess and reassess our commitments to ensure that we are lining up with His will. Whatever we commit to, we must do it wholeheartedly, as unto the Lord, recognizing that at the appointed time, we will reap a harvest, if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)
>>Respond |
We have spent 4 days in prayer seeking God’s vision for who he wants us to become, especially in the areas of spiritual growth, physical health + healing, knowledge + learning and relationships. Along with discovering who God wants us to be, we must understand the process of getting there. While the Lord will reveals to us the things that we need to do, only He knows the fullness of the journey. We must be careful to walk according to his pace and not our own.
Take time to review your list of commitments from Day 2 and the notes from your time of vision development. Are all of the areas of vision included in your list of commitments? Are there areas of commitment that are not pertinent to the vision that God has given you?
As the Lord shows you how to re-align your commitments, take time to thank him for revealing himself and for ordering your steps. Also, renew your commitment before the Lord to follow his process along with His plans.
>>Reflect | Journal or pray through these questions
*Adapted from Experiencing God by Claude King.
- What has God revealed to you about Himself?
- What has God revealed to you about His purposes?
- What has God revealed to you about His ways?
- What has God revealed to you about yourself?
- What has God revealed to you about your priorities?
- What has God revealed to you about your relationship with Him?
- What guidance has God revealed to you about your circumstances?
- What adjustments is God asking you to make (start doing _______, stop doing ___________, continue doing ___________).
- What can you thank God for today?
- What further steps of obedience do you know God wants you to take?
>>Next Steps |
Pray
I will pray about __________________ consistently, asking for ability, guidance, and discipline to listen + obey by God’s strength
Ask
I will ask the Holy Spirit to help me to ____________________
thanksgiving
I will thank God for ____________________
obedience
I will start ______________________
