Lifelong Commitment

Sometimes a person takes such a noteworthy action toward us that it forever changes the nature of our relationship with him. Someone could pay off a large debt, donate a kidney, stand by us in a moment of intense trial, or invest in our personal growth with committed and deliberate interactions.

Such extraordinary interactions form a bond of gratitude and devotion that never dies. We always think of that person as special, even years later or when distance has separated us. We would do just about anything for that person if it were within our power, and we would diligently try to avoid disappointing him by wasting his investment or discarding the good he had done.

God has done more for us than anyone else ever could. His investment in us is priceless, His faithfulness unfailing, and His motivation love-induced. When God has changed our lives so much, it is fitting and appropriate that we would be forever committed to Him.

"I love the LORD, because He hears my voice and my supplications" (Psalm 116:1). This psalmist declares his love for God based on God having heard him. There is no place for "detached" Christianity. After God has saved us, we cannot view Him casually or flippantly. We cannot live our lives with indifference toward Him. What a tremendous display of ingratitude it would be to receive His gifts and then live our own lives without regard to His desires.

"Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I shall call upon Him as long as I live" (Psalm 116:2). The psalmist also declares His loyalty toward God based on God's response to him. The psalmist is unshakable in his commitment to follow God. He will continue to seek God in every situation of life, and there will never be another source that receives the same measure of his dependence. A Christian has found the Answer and the source of answers. There is no reason to seek elsewhere and every reason to continue seeking the same Source.

Truly, after all God has done for us, we should have fervent love and undying loyalty toward Him. Nothing should dampen or squelch our love, and nothing should distract or usurp our loyalty. God is incredibly special and deserves our lifelong devotion.