Dedicated to the Lord

 

The clinic I work at moved into a new building last fall. I noticed today that they have a plaque ready to install marking the dedication of the building. The concept of dedication goes back a long ways. Solomon’s temple was dedicated to God in a grand and solemn ceremony. God honored their work and desire when “The Glory of the Lord filled the temple” (2 Chronicles 7:2).

 

People also can be dedicated to God. The prophet Samuel’s mother dedicated him to God after He answered her prayer for a child (1 Samuel 1:27-28). The Nazirites of the Old Testament dedicated themselves to God, either for a period of time or for life. John the Baptist was likely a Nazirite from the time of his birth (Luke 1:15).

 

We tend to think of ordained ministers when we think of people who have been dedicated to God’s service. While this is true, it doesn’t prevent us from dedicating ourselves to God and to His service. When we consciously dedicate ourselves to God, we open the door for Him to use us to a greater degree. We may choose to dedicate our job, our marriage, our home or finances, or any number of things to God. By doing so, we recognize God’s lordship over us and over our lives, our relationships, and our possessions. We may begin to see things in a new light. Our problems and worries may seem smaller when they are in God’s hands.

 

Paul wrote to the Romans, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1).  May we also dedicate ourselves to God.

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The individual posts in this blog have been collected into a book, Reflections From the Basic Truths Blog.  It is available for free as an E-book through Barnes and Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reflections-from-the-basic-truths-blog-james-yarmchuk/1147055811?ean=2940181202702, Apple Books, and multiple other book websites. It is available for a minimal charge on Amazon and can also be purchased as a paperback through them.