Truly Committed

Like most grandmothers, I sing to my grandbabies when I rock them. I’m certain that a variety of songs are sung by parents and grandparents alike, I generally sing hymns. I don’t have the voice to sing in the choir, so I sing to the children who aren’t yet old enough to wrinkle a nose or grimace at my “make a joyful noise” attempts. Today a chorus kept running around in my head, although I couldn’t identify it immediately, it’s message hit home.

Do you recognize this chorus? “But I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.” What?? Committed?? I am to have committed something to Christ, but have I? I committed my life at 13 years of age, but boy oh boy did I have a lot to learn about commitment!

God wants us to commit ALL to him…along with our heart He expects His children to commit their finances, family and work to Him. I must confess that I have not done a great job at this thing called commitment to Christ. Often times, I try to fix the situation myself. Oh, I may whisper a “please Lord help me with this” type of prayer, but Jesus wants us to be more hands off than hands on!

With all this thought of commitment, exactly what does the word mean? Webster describes it as (1) a promise to do or give something (2) a promise to be loyal to someone or something and (3) the attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something. Wow, each definition here could apply to spiritual commitment. Initially, as a new Christian we make the promise to give something (our hearts & lives) and to be loyal to our commitment to Christ and finally we work hard in our new life and to show the world where we stand in faith (support).

This commitment is biblical as we find in 1 Kings 8:61, “Now may you be committed to the Lord our God with all your heart by following his laws and observing his commands.” (CEB) When we commit our lives to the Lord, He will bless our efforts according to His perfect will in ways beyond our understanding. We should serve the Lord faithfully and then leave the results to Him. Though we will still face times of difficulty, we can trust that God is working for His ultimate good—and ours—through our efforts to please Him in our daily vocation.

Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the Lord! Trust Him! He will act and will make your righteousness shine like the dawn.” What a promise! It is our job to trust Him and He will uphold His commitment to His children.

Will you pray with me today?

Father God, help me to make that commitment today that you so desire from me. Give me grace to maintain my commitment and faith to know You will keep it until that day.

Oh, and for those who may still be wondering the name of the hymn I couldn’t pin down…it is I Know Whom I Have Believed by Marshall Hall.