Sermon by Thulane: Our Unwavering Commitment to God
Beloved, tonight I invite you to reflect on and reevaluate your commitment to God. As we begin, let us turn our hearts and minds to the book of Daniel, chapter 3, verses 16-18:
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
In this powerful moment, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego redefine the essence of commitment. Their words express an unwavering trust in God, a commitment to Him alone that is grounded in intention and faith. These three men faced the terrifying prospect of a fiery death, yet their faith remained resolute. They declared to Nebuchadnezzar that their God was more than able to deliver them, but even if He chose not to, they would not forsake their devotion. Their commitment to God led them to a remarkable deliverance; because they refused to worship a man-made idol, God spared them from certain death.
Who among us can forget the unwavering dedication of the prophet Habakkuk, as recounted in Habakkuk 3:17-19?
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food; the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.”
Through these verses, we are reminded that our commitment to God must not waver during difficult times. It is not enough to dedicate ourselves to Him when our lives are smooth and prosperous. We must emulate the faith of Job, who after losing everything dear to him, including his children, still found it essential to trust in God and praise Him.
The Apostle Paul poses a critical question to each of us in Romans 8:35:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?”
This serves as a wake-up call for us as children of God. We are not immune to trials and tribulations; however, we are still called to offer God our unwavering commitment, regardless of our circumstances.
Finally, let us consider our Master, Jesus Christ, who exemplified ultimate commitment to God by bearing our iniquities on the cross. As recorded in Matthew 26:39b, He prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
Beloved, as we reflect on these powerful examples of unwavering commitment to God, may we find the strength to deepen our own commitment, trusting Him fully in every circumstance of our lives. Amen.
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