Deuteronomy 26:17-19New International Version (NIV)
17 You have declared this day that the Lord is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. 18 And the Lord has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the Lord your God, as he promised.
Imagine how honoured you would feel if a president or prime minister decided to visit you and spend the night at your house. You wouldn't leave dirty dishes piled up in the sink, clothes strewn across the floor, and a ring around the bathtub. No, you'd give the place a radical makeover!And you wouldn't make them sleep in the garage, the box room or the attic; you'd vacate the master bedroom and give it to them. Your goal would be to honour them in every way because their presence had honoured you.
Now read the verse at the top of this post:
'You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and...do everything he tells you.
The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. And if you do, he will set you high above all the other nations he has made.
Let's take this a step further.
When the Old Testament priests entered the ministry they went through a rite called 'consecration'. From that moment on they belonged exclusively to God and were committed to obey Him in all things.
You say, 'What does any of this have to do with me?'
A lot: if you want God to use you, to honour and promote you, you can't marginalize or compartmentalize Him.
You must commit yourself to doing His will! And that includes your time, your talent, your treasure, your body, your mind, your spirit, and your all.
God wants 'total commitment'.
