COMMITMENT
1 Kings 19: 15-21

Commitment to the work and word of God is not in convenience, but in following Him fully. Commitment often results in challenging situation. Caleb and Joshua knew whom they believed when they were committed to the word of God enough to be able to declare, “…Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30) Caleb was speaking from the root of what he believed, he knew that following God would never fail him or disappoints him. The entire group of spies that went to check out the Promised Land came back with news and reports of discouragement, but Caleb and Joshua came back with news and reports of encouragement. The word of God needs your commitment because it is a demonstration of your faith in God. At every sound of the word of God in the direction of the called, there will be the grace to follow. Elisha was founded by the word of God that was delivered through Elijah, “…And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.”(1Kings 19:16) Elijah found Elisha just as the word was released to him. At the time Elisha was founded, there was a need to follow fully and it was a calling of commitment by God through Elijah.1 Kings 19:20, “And he left the oxen and ran after Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.” And he said to him, “Go back again, for what have I done to you?”” Elisha could not follow right away, he needed to part with the past and present to be able to move on into the center of God’s assignment for his life. To follow Him is not to flow with the crowd; it was to be distinguished for the glory of God. In order for Elisha to turn himself on for the Lord, he had to get past the past and present. 1kings 19:21, “So Elisha turned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen and slaughtered them and boiled their flesh, using the oxen’s equipment, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and followed Elijah, and became his servant.” Elisha settled with his past and present when he rose to follow the calling for his life. To be committed to Him will require relinquishing all and responding fully to what God has put in place to be done. In your answering to follow Him, have you relinquished all that can delay or disrupt your calling? Determination and your might will not be enough for you to relinquish everything, but by the Spirit of the Lord. To be committed is to have concluded that there will no longer be looking back. 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” He will back you up when you give up everything for Him.