'Total Commitment'
'...Then you will receive praise, honor and renown"Deuteronomy 26:19 NLT

As I was praying this morning, I began to think about what commitment would look like for the believer. The words in Deuteronomy struck my heart hard. When we are faithful does God then reward us with "praise, honor, and renown." Jesus said God "rewards those who dilegently seek Him." Imagine how honored you would feel if the president 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 mud room or the attic; you'd vacate the master bedroom and give it to them. Your goal would be to honor them in every way because their presence had honored you. Now read this: '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. Then you will receive praise, honour, and renown...' (Deuteronomy 26:17-19 NLT) Let's take this a step further. When 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 honor and promote you, you can't marginalise or compartmentalise 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'.