Commitment Kept

I love seeing an older couple who have been committed in marriage for many years. You can see it in their eyes and in their presence. They decided that they would remain committed to the other for life. The days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months and the months turned into years and here they are. That is an example of a commitment kept.

I remember as a kid in third grade that I accepted Jesus as God’s One and Only Son into my heart. I didn’t know everything about Him, but I knew enough to say I believed in Him. Here I am some 50 years later, and I still believe. I have followed the Lord my whole life. (Some seasons of my following were way better than others.)

I’ve been tracking with the people of Israel and their moving into the land God had promised their ancestors and them for many years prior. They have moved in and are now experiencing peace. The tribes of Rueben, Gad and one half of Manasseh had taken the land east of the Jordan River for their inheritance, but they had agreed to fully support their fellow Israelites in the conquest of the land promised by God. The job was completed and Joshua is sending them home. His message to them inspired me. Check this out….

¹Then Joshua called together the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh. ² He told them, “You have done as Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you, and you have obeyed every order I have given you. ³ During all this time you have not deserted the other tribes. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God right up to the present day. ⁴ And now the Lord your God has given the other tribes rest, as he promised them. So go back home to the land that Moses, the servant of the Lord, gave you as your possession on the east side of the Jordan River. ⁵ But be very careful to obey all the commands and the instructions that Moses gave to you. Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” ⁶ So Joshua blessed them and sent them away, and they went home. (Joshua 22:1-6 NLT)

This was an “attaboy” speech from Joshua. They had kept their promise and commitment to the whole community. Their word meant something. They were steady and faithful to do what they said they would do. I really leaned in when Joshua gave them a special charge about the future.  These seven commands spoke to me as a follower of Jesus. I need to practice these daily. I want to keep following the Lord with this charge upon me. I can use this today an every day.

1. Go back home.
2. Be careful to obey the commands and instructions of God from Moses.
3. Love the Lord your God
4. Walk in God’s Ways
5. Obey His commands
6. Hold firmly to Him
7. Serve Him with all your heart and soul.

Pressing On!

Dwayne