Nov 25 – THREE COMMITMENTS !

“For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

It is the firm commitment that you make in your life, that protects you and helps you get the blessing and grace of God. Today let us reflect on the firm resolutions of three men of God.

Firstly, the commitment of Daniel. Daniel determined in his heart not to defile himself with the spirit or food of Babylon. The Scripture says: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8)

Because of this commitment, God granted him kindness and favour from the chief officer (Daniel 1:9). And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies (Daniel 1:15). Not only that, but in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm (Daniel 1:20).

Today, commit yourselves to be righteous for the Lord. And never let any of the impurities, evils and lusts of the world to defile you. When you make such a commitment, our God will not only protect you from all evil, but also bless and lift you up.

Secondly, let us reflect on the commitment of Jacob. He made a commitment to offer a tithe of all that the Lord gives him. He said: “of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You” (Genesis 28:22). Since he purposed in his heart to give cheerfully to the Lord, the Lord was also well pleased with him. That is why Jacob, who had earlier nothing in his hand, could return with much wealth, multitude of servants and innumerable livestock. We see his grateful acknowledgement of this in Genesis 32:10: “I crossed over this Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two companies”.

Thirdly, we look at the commitment of David. David decided in his heart to love the Word of God, and to fully submit himself to its statutes. He humbled himself and said: “You are my portion, O Lord; I have said that I would keep Your words” (Psalm 119:57). When the Lord looked at his zeal, He lifted him up and made him King over whole of Israel.

Dear children of God, if you determine in your heart to give importance to the word of God, He will bless you abundantly and lift you up. You will never be put to shame.

Verse for further meditation: “I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psalm 119:16).