Devotion

Sometimes we read about Christians whose lives display the favor of God.  We pray for that to come into our lives as well so that we can enjoy God’s blessings and provisions for ourselves and our ministries.  A few weeks ago I was reading about the great work done by Ezra.  He was the leader in rebuilding God’s temple during a time of dispersement and severe trial for the Israelites.  What made Ezra so successful during every step of this project was that the hand of the Lord, and His favor, was upon Ezra (Ez 7:6; 9 28; 8:18 and 8:31).  We read that there was a reason God’s hand of favor was on Ezra; he had devoted himself to the study and observation of the law, and it was his practice to teach it (Ez 7:10).  Today’s lesson is about devotion, and the interpretation of various meanings which are found in the Hebrew and Greek translations.

The word “devotion” is used to depict many aspects of behavior and thinking.  King David was a man who knew the value of devoting himself to God.  In Ps 86:2 we read that he sought God for protection on the basis of his devotion to Him.  This use of the word refers to David’s holiness; godliness, piety, goodness, and being a saint.  The descriptions that fit David’s use of “devotion” indicate a style of life and not a quick attitude of his mind and heart.

Ezra’s use of the word “devotion” is described as a preparation of his heart which would enable him to stand upright, or to establish.  It indicates attention to the individual steps necessary to accomplish godliness in his life.  We find a similar encouragement in the New Testament where Paul exhorts us to put on the armor of God.  The word “preparation” is used as the method by which to add protection to our feet, symbolizing the out-working of living and teaching the Gospel.  This use of the word “preparation” indicates that we should “make ready, provide for, or prepare” and is the same process by which a person becomes devoted to God and the life and works He calls us to.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy he asks that Timothy devote himself to the reading of scriptures, exhortation and doctrine.  This use of devotion represents giving attendance to by holding something in one’s mind, adhering to it, and applying oneself to it.  In the letter to Titus Paul encourages that Christians be devoted to good works.  Here he is referring to an authoritative stance of practicing their works as people who are presiding over them.  Just as we are servants who stand before God and are accountable to Him for our works (see parable of the Minas), so we are delegated authority by Him to do our works for His glory through our attention to and maintenance of our actions.

There are many more references to devotion in the scriptures that could add to this lesson.  For we who are seeking God’s favor and blessing in our lives it is a worthy study, for it teaches us what kind of people we should be, and this will please God.  The attitudes of the mind and heart are very important and become the basis of our character and the works we do.   We see that we need to pay attention to what God says, and make plans with Him to accomplish it (the preparations of a man’s heart belong to God; Proverbs 16:1).  Our plans will come from a place of familiarizing ourselves with God’s words (study), obedience (personal application), and teaching others (ministry).  Our desire for a successfully finished project or work will cause us to take careful steps, in our preparation personally, and to preside over those works with the authority delegated to us by God.  Being a person devoted to God will infiltrate our whole life . . . yet isn’t that what we want?  I believe that is what God wants for us, and is the recipe for favor and blessing in our lives.  Amen