JUNE 24 – A GOOD RESOLUTION – DEDICATION!

“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” (Daniel 1:8).

Resolution and dedication are highly essential in Christian life. Unless there is a firm resolution, one cannot protect one’s holy life. If it is not a dedicated life then the mind will get tempted during times of struggles.

Today, we can see several kinds of vows and resolutions. Some people will decide not to eat non-vegetarian food for forty days, some women may desist from wearing flowers on their heads and to read the Scripture in the morning and pray during the lent days. Indeed, this is good. Vows, if done, should be fulfilled at any cost (Ecclesiastes 5:5).

He who observes the day, observes it for the Lord. But your resolution and dedication should last forever and not for a few days. The deep dedication should last lifelong for attaining a holy life.

In the Old Testament, God has given a life of dedication for His children to know.  That dedicated life is the vow of a Nazirite. In the book of Numbers, the verses under 6:1-12 illustrate the conditions to be followed by a Nazirite. (1) All the days of the vow of his dedication no razor shall come upon The Nazirite’s head. (2) He shall separate himself from wine and similar drink. (3)  He shall not get defiled by a dead body. This dedication is not meant for a short period, but it is a lifelong one.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ’s life of dedication touches our heart deeply. In order to maintain it to perfection, He had dedicated Himself fully to the will of the Lord. He told that it is for that purpose, He had descended (John 6:38). He was hungry when He fasted for forty days. But, even then, He did not come forward to turn a stone into bread for consumption.

Satan’s tricky initiatives to bring a setback in Him ended futile. Yes. His life of dedication is a holy one. He is holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from the sinners (Hebrews 7:26).

What God expects from you is nothing but dedication and controlled life. In the Old Testament, since Daniel lived such a dedicated life, how greatly God exalted him! God revealed all His hidden things to Daniel. Dear children of God, may you also submit yourself to lead a life of dedication!

To meditate: “Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice” (Psalm 50:5).