Fully Committed
Last night I climbed into bed and picked up my Bible to read before going to sleep. I checked my Bible-in-a-year schedule and saw that I was still in the middle of 2 Chronicles. I said out loud, “I don’t want to read any more 2 Chronicles.” Part of my problem with reading this book is that just before 1 and 2 Chronicles, I had read 1 and 2 Kings. If you read these books you will know that they cover the same time periods, the same kings of Judah and Israel, and the same battles, victories, and defeats. Because of the way my mind retains information that I have read I keep feeling like I just read each account.
But even though I didn’t really feel like reading 2 Chronicles, I want to get to Isaiah, which is next on my schedule. I love Isaiah! So I read six chapters of 2 Chronicles.
As I was reading this verse made me stop and think: “During his reign, however, he failed to remove all the pagan shrines, and the people never fully committed themselves to follow the God of their ancestors.” 2 Chronicles 20:33. This verse follows the account of God giving King Jehoshaphat and Judah an easy victory over the armies of the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites by causing those armies to turn on each other and essentially defeating themselves before Judah even started to fight.
I thought to myself, how could the people of Judah not have fully committed themselves to follow God after seeing what He had done for them? But then I thought, have I fully committed myself to God? I’ve seen the wonderful victories He has won for me, and yet I’m not sure I can honestly say I have fully committed myself, my whole heart and mind, to Him. I want to, but I’m not sure I can really say I have. Or if I was at one point, I’m not sure I am now.
It happened to King Asa and King Jehoshaphat. Both were recorded as being fully committed to the Lord their God early in their reigns. Both were given amazing victories and peace by God and they knew God was the source of their blessings. Then both lost focus and ceased to trust completely in God.
How about you? Have you fully committed yourself to God? I ask not to be judgmental or critical, but because I think it is an important question every Christian must ask himself or herself. It’s a question I will be asking myself. And I will keep asking until I can unequivocally say YES! Then I should probably keep asking, to make sure I haven’t lost my focus on God.
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An important question indeed, Linda.
I am reminded of the saying ” a saint is just a sinner who falls down and gets up and falls down and gets up all the way to heaven!”
Thanks for sharing. Much to chew on.
blessings,
ann
Ann, I like that saying! I guess I better get back up again. 🙂 Peace, Linda
That’s a good point. I noticed that when I was reading those books, but never stopped to think about it like this. And I like Isaiah, too:)
Your honesty is so wonderful, Linda. It’s one of the many things I love about you. I will be asking right with you, because fully committed means 100%, and I can’t say either that I’m on board to that extent all the time. I want to be, I want to say that I am, but I need instead to pray and ask Him to help me be. It reminds me of one of my friend’s goals . . .to give her heart wholly to Him. good goal! Thanks Linda!