Commitment, Submission, Service & Sacrifice

I need to make a confession.  In the last week, I have not spent very much time with God.  I haven’t been reading my Bible and my prayer life has been short and probably not very sweet.  I’ve felt exhausted and struggled to be motivated.

Not a very happy opening paragraph, but that’s where I’ve been.  I’ve been sooooo busy that even a moment spent with God seems to cut into the schedule I’ve imposed on myself.  I don’t know if anyone else ever does this to themselves.  I usually do it once or twice a year and every time I say I won’t do it again and then the squares on my calendar begin to fill up.  I get to the other side and then ask myself, “When will I ever learn?”.

Last night I finished the last of my ‘formal’ commitments and celebrated this morning by getting back into God’s word.  I’ve been reading in Nehemiah and in chapters nine and ten the people make a commitment to God.  This commitment is a bond, a pledge to live for God and to obey Him.

Throughout chapter nine, they acknowledge God. 

Nehemiah 9:17b
…you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.

Nehemiah 9:28b
…when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time.

Like Israel, I cry out to God after I fail and He delivers me time after time.

After sealing their commitment at the end of chapter nine and beginning of chapter ten, the second half of chapter 10 can be broken into three parts.

Verse 31 speaks of the people’s submission to God.  They choose to obey His word.

Verses 32-35 speak of the people’s service to God.  Verse 32 begins with, “We assume the responsibility for carrying out the commands to…”

Verses 36-39 speak of the people’s sacrifice to God.  They are willing to offer up the first fruits to honour and serve God.

The last sentence in verse 39 reads, “We will not neglect the house of our God.”

I was convicted when I read that sentence.  In allowing myself to become so busy I had chosen to neglect my God.  Really it was a choice.  My choice.  Nobody forced me to work extra hours or run the roads or go away.  I allowed my schedule to outweigh my commitment, submission, service and sacrifice to God.

Today I am recommitting to right priorities and building my relationship with God.  Because of my personality and trouble saying no, I will probably fail again but I know that God is faithful and will always be waiting for me with open arms.

Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.