Prioritize SERVICE TO GOD over self
When a person chooses to give his heart to Christ, he makes a vow (a promise) to lay down his life daily, to deny himself, and to “take up his cross” and follow Jesus. We read the Word of God and are reminded of this truth. Then after making our vow, the ‘saved one’ begins to live his life. I made my vow at age fifteen, and I am near sixty, so you can see the passage of time. At first, a person ‘willingly’ tells all who are near of the salvation experience, and the person is on fire for the Lord. Then, if one does not keep his eyes fixed on his Savior Jesus, he can begin to drift—in his spiritual disciplines, in his spiritual testimony, and in his close walk with the Lord.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to ask ourselves the questions:
- How much of you belongs to God?
- Does God ever instruct His children to hold back any of your personal treasury to yourself?
- How “willing” are we to serve the Lord?
“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willing,
(The First Book of the Chronicles 29:9 NASB)
for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart,
and King David also rejoiced greatly.”
In the biblical passage proceeding this verse, King David ordered the whole assembly to gather and his son, Solomon, too. The LORD had given His instruction that Solomon would construct the LORD’S temple, and that King David would provide the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and precious stones for the house of the LORD. The amount of money used to create the temple was GREAT within any time. Craftsmen throughout the land were sought to use their skill.
The king asked:
“Who then is willing to consecrate himself this day to the LORD?” (The First Book of the Chronicles 29:5b NASB)
The people responded:
“Then the rulers of the fathers’ households, and the princes of the tribes of Israel, and the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, with the overseers over the king’s work, offered willing;” (The First Book of the Chronicles 29:6 NASB)
Then the people (those who belonged to the king) offered their talents for service to the construction of God’s house.
“Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the LORD with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.” (The First Book of the Chronicles 29:9 NASB)
May you and I—
- Place ourselves within God’s reach.
- Allow our answers to become, “Yes, Lord” when God calls our name.
Just as the prophet Isaiah, might we “willingly” say, “Here am I. Send me!” (The Book of Isaiah 6:8b NASB).
AND AS THE EARLY FOLLOWERS
Just as the disciple Ananias, might we “be willing” to go, even before we know the LORD’S task, as we say, “Here I am, Lord.” (The Acts of the Apostles 9: 10b NASB)
May you and I—
- Never forget how God wills to use those who are “willing” to be used for His will.
- Never hide from our spiritual obligations.
- Never react to the Lord’s calling with hesitation.
BUT INSTEAD, MAY YOU AND I—
- Drop everything and SERVE, prioritizing SERVICE TO GOD over self.