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You know how we can become devoted to people or causes or traditions. We hear how someone is devoted in a relationship. Or someone is devoted to their work or even to their pet. (I can hear all you pet people out there going, “Yeah.” You’re much devoted to that pet.)
There are people who are devoted to watching their favorite TV program each week. Or someone is faithful to be watching the stock market or the news. I’m not saying those are bad things but they don’t come anywhere near to how important it is to being devoted to God.
So we need to explore what it means to have ourselves be devoted to Him. What are the results of what happens when we are? How important is it? How can we be more devoted?
When someone is devoted they are dedicated. They’re steadfast. Single-minded in their commitment. They’re going to pay attention to something or someone. Their commitment is fervent.
Think how that describes our relationship to God. We dedicate our lives to Him. We strive to be steadfast in how we follow Him. We have a commitment to Him and we pay attention to Him.
Romans 12:1 tells you that you are to make a decisive dedication of your body [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
We commit to strive to honor Him and we seek after Him. Doing that in turn causes results in our lives. Without being devoted, we cannot fulfill our purpose. So when we come to a place where nothing is working for us—our efforts, our prayers, our faith, or our resources and we’re not getting what we need, a good place to start questioning is our devotion.
I think about the man William Wilberforce who was a Christian and a statesman of Great Britain in the 1700s and 1800s. He accomplished tremendous reforms. In the process of doing that, he discovered something that sounds so basic and simple and yet it’s a big factor even now in being able to accomplish something we desire.
William had stood before Parliament trying to convince them of a direction they should take for people who were oppressed. He wanted the Bible applied to justice in how it was carried out.
No doubt God had placed him in that position. But here is something I have discovered. Even if God has placed you in a position, or if He’s promised that what’s in your heart can happen, if you don’t remain devoted, you don’t get the results. You can’t see that purpose fulfilled. That’s because without devotion, you miss out on the guidance and wisdom and support from God.
This is how it played out for Wilberforce. One day he was in front of the British Parliament and was making his case for a law to be passed. But he failed. He couldn’t get any support or movement on this from the others. He knew it was a purpose God had given him in his spirit but it wouldn’t go anywhere. So many problems were coming up.
You know what his response was? Why he felt he couldn’t see any movement in what he desired? It wasn’t some big sophisticated or complicated reason. He simply said to himself, I must secure more time for private devotions. That was it! He knew he must devote himself more to God. He had to get into that personal private time and seek the will of God.
That would give him the power to withstand the forces against him. He could hear the voice of God and take the way that would get the best results. Over time, because William became so devoted to God he was able to fulfill his purpose in Parliament. He had great measures get passed that reflected God’s will.
When we are devoted to God, we will take a way that gets the best results. That purpose that’s inside us can come to pass. God has promised you something, but once you know it, that isn’t the time to wane in your devotion to God. You have to be dedicated in your hunger and desire for Him. Here’s why.
When you devote yourself to God, you are reaching out by your spirit and taking from His Spirit. You’re taking all you need each day—perseverance, endurance, love, patience, peace and joy, energy and wisdom. So you can see why when you are devoted to Him, so much can be fulfilled that you desire.
Spiritual Powerline to say out loud:
“I’M DEVOTED TO GOD!”
Here is a powerful prayer to say out loud:
Oh God, I am devoted to You. I want to absorb from Your Spirit everything I need to accomplish Your will. Help me to receive and fulfill each purpose You have for my life. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
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