LifeLink Devotions for Thursday, May 2, 2024

So far in our study of life principles we learn from faith, we have discovered:

1.   God is working to increase faith

2.   Faith minimizes risk

3.   Faith makes a few powerful

4.   Faith results in commitment

Now today, let’s look at the final principle – Commitment and determination bring victory.

In the story of Jonathon and his armor-bearer we have been studying in 1 Samuel 14, the armor-bearer is so committed to God’s plan that he follows Jonathon up the side of a cliff, climbing rocks to the top. Jonathon has it easy: the armor-bearer has all the stuff. The young lad carrying the sword and shield and supplies has a much tougher climb, but he keeps up. We know this because when Jonathon gets to the top it says he started killing Philistines, and the armor-bearer was right behind him killing more.

What a great picture of the commitment that follows faith. It is quite the opposite of what we see from professional sports athletes these days. You know the type of player I mean – the ones who care more about their image, their health, their looks, and their wallets, and they put personal pursuits ahead of the team. What happened to loyalty? What happened to the commitment and dedication that results in a player playing through lack of attention, the lack of higher salaries, or even in pain, begging to get back in the game for the best of the team, and knowing that if they pushed themselves to the absolute limit of endurance there is a reward waiting. Oh, maybe the reward is not a game victory, but it will most certainly be a fame victory, and that fame will be for all the right reasons.

Now, how do we apply that to our spiritual journey of faith? The Body of Christ is, unfortunately, filled with spiritual well-wishers and whiners. People who wear the uniform of Christianity, but don’t participate at the team level with a heart of commitment and determination that produces victory. “Let the other guy beat me” and “Let the other guy take the ball from me” and “Please don’t hurt me” are the typical battle cries of the defeated and unfaithful.

What the body of Christ needs is more armor-bearers. No one knows his name, but he was determined to do his best and beyond for the glory and benefit of another. His faith made the insignificant powerful, and his commitment and dedication brought victory.

What area of your life right now is embarrassing you, or making you ashamed, or holding you in bondage, or causing you to give up and walk off the field before the game is over? Maybe it’s time to evaluate your commitment and dedication level. I bet you find that in that area you’re more committed to self than to God. Take care of that today – victory is assured.

Pastor John