A person dedicated to God is able to have joy despite of the circumstances and to always be grateful to God

Yesterday we spoke on what it means to be dedicated to God and His will. We learned that firstly it means to pursue Him continually without paying attention to different hindrances and strange gods. Secondly, it means to choose such friends and to build such relationships that help to stick to your priorities. Thirdly, it means to have a clear understanding that the real joy in life comes from being successful in the things of God that one is called to do.

A person dedicated to God is able to have joy despite of the circumstances and to always be grateful to God. «My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing» (James, 1:2-4).

A dedicated man has joy even during trials and testings and knows how to go through grief; his greatest joy is when his life goes according to God’s plan.

In order to see these principles working in your life, we should look at the life of Jesus Who clearly demonstrated what it means to be dedicated to God and doing of His will.

1. Jesus treasured God’s will above physical food.

That does not mean that He did not eat at all; His life showed that we do not live to eat, but to fulfil God’s will.

«The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, „Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” Then they went out of the city and came to Him. In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, „Rabbi, eat”. But He said to them, „I have food to eat of which you do not know.” Therefore the disciples said to one another, „Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” Jesus said to them, „My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work” (John, 4:28-34).

In this passage of Scripture we read about Jesus showing His disciples what it means to be dedicated to God’s will and what the attitude of a committed person should be. What are you willing to give up in order to do God’s will and do His work? Are you ready to fast and pray through the night if it helps to serve God in a more effective way?

This is how you can measure your dedication! For the sake of doing God’s will Jesus easily could ignore disciples’ offer of food. Doing God’s will was the main nourishment for Jesus and it renewed His strength. Here we see the portrait of a person who is committed to God and His work.

2. Jesus never sought something for Himself, but in everything He sought God’s will.

«Then Jesus answered and said to them, „Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. (..) I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me»(John, 5:19, 30).

Tomorrow we will talk about it in more detail.

I wish you God’s abundant blessings!

Pastor Rufus Ajiboye