A college man walked into a photography studio with a framed picture of his girlfriend. He wanted the picture duplicated. This involved removing it from the frame. In doing this, the studio owner noticed the inscription on the back of the photograph:
“My dearest Tom, I love you with all my heart. I love you more and more each day. I will love you forever and ever. I am yours for all eternity.”
It was signed “Helen,” and it contained a P.S.: “If we ever break up, I want this picture back.”
Commitment is defined as “the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.” The word “commitment” is not used in the English Bible very often with the idea of “dedication.” But certainly, the idea of dedication, commitment, or loyalty is presented frequently in the Bible.
A great example of commitment is found in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s response in Daniel 3:16-18 when Nebuchadnezzar demanded they worship the golden image he made. Consider their response: “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to give you an answer concerning this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
Observe the three things to which these men were committed and it will help us stay committed in our uncommitted world:
- To the word of God – verse 16. That statement tells me that what they were saying was that God had already spoken on the matter. If God has spoken, there is nothing else to say. Indeed, God had already spoken about worshiping false gods (Exodus 20:3-5). Since God had spoken, man must obey. There will be no twisting, “massaging,” or altering that message. Psalm 119:89 – “Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” Jesus said in John 10:35, “The Scripture cannot be broken.”
Some 80x in the Scriptures the phrase “it is written” is found (16x in OT). In particular, in the NT, the verb is perfect tense, carrying the idea that it is “presently and permanently written.” We do not have to give an answer in this uncommitted world. God has already spoken.
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“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us” – Here is a reflection on the power of God. We do not ever need to forget the power of God! We fight against Satan through the power of God. We pray because we believe in the power of God. We step out on faith, into an unknown future, because we believe in the power of God.
One other aspect of the nature of God which encouraged these men to remain committed to the God of heaven was His goodness. They go on, “He will deliver us out of your hand, O King.” This reflects on God’s will, His good will. To stay committed to God, do not forget this fact. God is good. God will never do anything that is not in our best interests if we are His children. Anything that happens to us, God will see to it that it comes out for our betterment, our improvement, our growth into the image and likeness of Christ.
Third, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stayed committed in this uncommitted world by remaining true to their convictions – their integrity. “But even if He does not,” that is, they recognized that God did not exist to serve them. He was not a puppet on a string; He was not in their back pocket to pull out when they needed Him.
Integrity is staying true to your convictions. It comes from the same word as “integer” which means a “whole number.” So, integrity means being “whole.” It means that your outward behavior reflects your inner convictions. Integrity is the opposite of hypocrisy.
If no one is looking – and these men did not know how God would act – be a person of integrity. Your behavior should reflect your inner conviction.
Be committed to God’s word, to God’s nature, to your integrity. The rewards are out of this world.
–Paul Holland
