British revivalist Henry Varley once said to D. L. Moody, “The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly dedicated to Him.” Moody’s response was, “By God’s help, I aim to be that man,” and this is said to have been the guiding principle of his ministry.
Over the past few weeks, we have been observing the life, calling and ministry of many of the servants of the Lord as recorded in the Bible. Characteristic of each of them was a great faith in God and a great fervor “to be that man,” also, who was “fully and wholly dedicated to” God, even though this quote would not come to be for centuries and centuries later.
We’ve considered Enoch’s dedication to walking with God, Noah’s fervor for preaching to his generation the righteousness of God and warning of His coming judgment and destruction and Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promises. We observed Joseph’s determination for purity in his life when constantly pressed to have a wicked affair with another man’s wife, Moses’ unrelenting desire and his decision to identify with his people – the people of God, the Israelites and David’s desire and longing for the house of God. Jeremiah found the Word of God burning like a fire in his bones and he could not refrain from preaching. The greatest determination to do the will of God and to sacrifice His life to save sinners was demonstrated by our Savior.
Today we want to look again at Hebrews 11 and have our hearts challenged by the servants of the Lord who dedicated their lives to answering the call of God with all their hearts. When Moses died, God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Land of Canaan. Joshua had a burning in his soul to follow the exact directions of the Lord each step of the way regardless of how humanly impractical they seemed. His testimony to God’s people years later when they had claimed the Land of Promise was, “Ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you.” In the latter days of his life, his declaration was still, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” May this be our constant declaration, too.
Another servant of the Lord we find chronicled in Hebrews 11 is Gideon. He is often remembered for his fears and constant need of God’s reassurance. Despite his timidity, he was determined to trust and obey God. Against all odds, which is how God often works, He used Gideon to bring great deliverance to God’s people. We can make a difference by obeying God even when our faith is weak.
We are reminded next of the Prophet Samuel. What a tremendous story we have of his mother’s prayer for God to give her a son and then of her sacrifice in giving Samuel back to the Lord! Samuel was the spiritual leader who judged Israel all the days of his life, but it is interesting to note the many times the Bible refers to Samuel’s prayer life. I Samuel 7:9 tells us, “Samuel cried unto the Lord for Israel; and the Lord heard him.” A great victory followed. As Samuel grew older, the people of Israel began to desire a king for leader like the other nations. Samuel went in prayer to God with a broken heart, but God told Samuel, “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.” After Israel insisted on a king and God gave them Saul, there came a day when Saul would not obey God. He was rejected as king by God and the Bible tells us, “And it grieved Samuel: and he cried unto the Lord all night.” What a great pattern of prayer Samuel left for us to follow in our times of need!
God’s servants throughout history have been those who trusted God and determined with great fervor, by His grace, to be fully and wholly dedicated to Him. May it be so in our lives.
— Randy Zinn is pastor of Russell Missionary Baptist Church, Russell, Ark.; formerly of Okmulgee.
