1 Kings 8:61 // And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.
It’s been said that motivation is what may get you started, but commitment is what will keep you going. Despite that truth, it is amazing how many people are actually afraid of making commitments, especially long-term ones. It can make some feel trapped, but the truth is, in order for us to truly be successful in life, we have to be willing to make some commitments.
Whether it is a commitment to ourselves, to others, or to God, it takes great intentionality whenever we are choosing to pursue new paths and outcomes for our lives. But we can take assurance that God is with us and for us, ready to guide and ready to support us.
Making new decisions can always be difficult, especially when it comes to our health, wealth or relationships. We often struggle with the idea of giving up something to get something, but it is in our willingness to give up what no longer is sustaining us that God begins to help us build up the character and integrity we need for the future.
As believers, God requires us to be accountable for every commitment we make. And accountability to God looks a lot like being all in, holding nothing back at all. Our love for Him is predicated on that one word: all. To give Him all of our heart, all of our soul, and all of our mind leaves no room for doubt. He requires our full commitment and He expects us to always be people whose word is firm and unwavering.
When you say you’re going to do something, then you do it. No matter how tough the circumstances, you refuse to quit. I’m sure we all have encountered people who were just on the verge of a major breakthrough, but decided to quit instead. How many marriages could have made it if they had just decided to go to counseling instead of the courtroom? How much different would our bodies look today if we had decided to continue to eat differently and exercise more consistently, instead of throwing in the towel after just a few weeks?
No matter what area in our lives requires more commitment from us to change, we have to be willing to stay the course. One area that we all could use a lot more commitment is in the reading of God’s Word. For it is in His Word, where we are can be stirred up daily to pursue His best for our life. In fact, it is amazing that the more you read His Word, the more you will want to read it. The same is true with prayer and with worship. The more you do it, the more you will want to do it.
Our motivation for commitment grows whenever we refuse to quit.
Today, let’s take on that attitude, an attitude that is ready to pursue God’s best no matter the cost. When we are committed to go all in, we will never fail in the sight of God.
Day 14 of 21 Days of Prayer
*This devotional is from A God First Life, written by Pastors Michael and Charla Turner
