Is my commitment to the Lord conditional on God giving me a good life in return? Am I willing to commit my life to the Lord as long as He gets me a beautiful girlfriend, or helps me get the job I always dreamed about, or the set of wheels I’ve drooled over in car mags? But let’s say – you end up single at 30, or you end up working at the city pool picking up garbage? What happens if the motor in your new truck goes up in smoke? Are you still committed to living for the Lord?
Remember the three young men who stood before furious Nebuchadnezzar? They had refused to bow down before the huge gold image the King had set up. They knew the consequences – to be hurled alive in to the red hot furnace. So when the daily signal was given, everyone was to fall into the horizontal position. Flat as a pancake! Glance around the city square and out in the fields – not one person left standing. Except…. That’s right! Except three young men. Their knees wouldn’t buckle, bow or bend! Determined to honor the Lord at any cost!
They weren’t surprised when they were arrested and hauled before the fierce flashing eyes of the King. He gave them one final chance to bow before the gold image and then threatened them with the furnace. How good is your imagination? Did the three guys glance at each other with a peaceful smile of acceptance and give the nod to say in unison what they wanted the King to know. Maybe their voices were trembling and just maybe their knees were knocking and perhaps those legs were shaking and maybe their eyes were filled with tears – I don’t know – but their heart was strong and unwavering!
He will deliver us from your hand, O King.
But if not,
Let it be known to you, O King, that we do not serve your gods,
Nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.”
Daniel 3:16-18
Am I willing to work hard at being a good Christian only if the Lord gives me what I want or gets me out of scrapes or solves the problems of my life? Can I justify my minimal commitment and my bitterness because things haven’t worked out the way I expected?
These boys knew one thing: God was able to deliver them if He wanted to – BUT if He chose not to, they were still going to walk closely with Him and remain true to Him. They recognized that God is sovereign and He sees the big picture. The rest of the story is: King ‘Nezzar found out that these boys not only wouldn’t bend or bow, they wouldn’t burn either!!
Esther was a young Jewish girl in the Bible who was willing to risk her life to protect the Lord’s people. She went to the heathen King uninvited. She knew the risk involved – her head would be removed from her shoulders if she didn’t find favor with the King. But her commitment to the Lord and to His people came first. She said: “If I perish, I perish.” The Apostle Paul said: “I am ready to die for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Is your commitment to Christ conditional on Him blessing you the way you want to be blessed? Or do you plan to live for Christ regardless? Unswerving devotion to Him despite the ups and downs of life? Go for it young Christian. On your knees pour out your heart to the Lord and make the commitment that will give your life meaning and will bring pleasure to your God. Live the significant life the Lord intends for you.