“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalm 37:5
Dear Ones:
Walking with the Lord is a matter of certainty. This is why He is ever calling us in our walk to commit matters to Him. Commitment means several things in this regard. First it means decisiveness, a specific choice to give the authority and power concerning a matter to God. Secondly, it means a specific resolve to follow Christ in regard to the commitment, doing what He would have us to do. Lastly, it means that faith is specifically placed in God for His intervention, and working according to His promise. Thus, a position of faith is taken by a commitment made. Then the position of faith is maintained by trusting in the Lord, believing, and waiting on God for the realization of His words: “…and He shall bring it to pass.” (Ps. 37:5)
We see this same concept mentioned in Isaiah 9:6, where Isaiah writes: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government (authority) shall be upon His shoulders.” The extent to which this reality is realized in our lives depends to a great extent upon our “commitment” to Him, not only for the entirety of our lives, but specifically, of the “way” we go, and the “means” by which we live. The Shepherd who leads will always provide…He WILL do it.
In a very practical fashion, Solomon writes in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” What does he mean by “leaning unto thine own understanding?” To lean on something or someone, is to trust in that object. It is to rest our weight upon that object believing that it will uphold us, or support us. Scripture tells us, because of our very evident limitations, that “leaning,” trusting in our own perception of things, as opposed to trusting in the God who knows all, and loves us, is not the thing to do. A choice must be made, either to judge after the sight of our eyes, or to defer to the discernment and wisdom of God. The specific commandment of God is: “In ALL thy ways acknowledge Him (God), and He shall direct thy paths.” (3:6) This is practical faith, taking the time and being deliberate to “place the government” on the Lord’s shoulders as our Counselor, to lead and guide us.
In Paul’s great chapter on love, 1 Corinthians 13, he concludes: “And now abides faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (v.13) Faith is essential for everything in the believer’s life. Indeed, it is the bedrock principle to know God. It is in the practical exercise of faith, that hope enters into the picture, for it is that certain expectation of God’s intervention according to His word and promise. Then there is love, that overwhelming, all-encompassing motive, and commitment of God towards us. It is in the everlasting love of God that faith and hope have their reason and existence. It is that dominant reason for believing God in a practical and specific manner. To the one who commits all to Him, and trusts him fully, He has promised: “…He shall bring it to pass…He will do it.” (Ps. 37:5, 1 Thess. 5:24) Eternal Love has declared it.
Dear Father, teach us Your ways, and strengthen our hearts to commit all to Thee, believing in your faithfulness according to Your promise. Then we shall know You working in and through us to Thy glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad