Passionately committed to the Lord

“The Philistine army had gathered for war against Israel. The two armies faced each other, camped for battle on opposite sides of a steep valley. A Philistine giant measuring over nine feet tall and wearing full armor came out each day for forty days, mocking and challenging the Israelite's to fight. His name was Goliath. Saul, the King of Israel, and the whole army were terrified of Goliath.
One day David, the youngest son of Jesse, was sent to the battle lines by his father to bring back news of his brothers. David was probably just a young teenager at the time. While there, David heard Goliath shouting his daily defiance and he saw the great fear stirred within the men of Israel. David responded, "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of God?"
So David volunteered to fight Goliath. It took some persuasion, but King Saul finally agreed to let David fight against the giant. Dressed in his simple tunic, carrying his shepherd's staff, slingshot and a pouch full of stones, David approached Goliath. The giant cursed at him, hurling threats and insults.
David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied ... today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air ... and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel ... it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands."
As Goliath moved in for the kill, David reached into his bag and slung one of his stones at Goliath's head. Finding a hole in the armor, the stone sank into the giant's forehead and he fell face down on the ground. David then took Goliath's sword, killed him and then cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. So the Israelite's pursued, chasing and killing them and plundering their camp.” 1 Samuel 17

David, a boy who by faith, courage, and divine appointment was thrust into the kingship of Israel. He was a king, a warrior, a psalmist, a prophet, and one who foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ. He had many flaws, but because of his devotion, he is described as “a man after God’s own heart.”

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.” Acts 13:22

David was a man after God’s heart because he was passionately committed to serving the Lord. What does it mean to be passionately committed? To be passionate means to have zeal, fervor, intense emotion compelling feeling, enthusiasm or desire for something. To be committed means to give trust, to pledge oneself to a position or issue, to bind in assurance, to entrust for safekeeping. Looking at David’s life, he lived a life trusting, seeking and worshiping God, holding nothing back. He didn't worry about what others thought of him, but pledged himself to God’s calling on his life striving for more.

What about our own lives? What are we passionate about? Are we being passionate about the right things? Often our passions can be misguided by influences other than God, such as societal pressures, conveniences, even family and friends. We can avoid these influences by looking to the right influence, Jesus Christ, seeking Him out in the word.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:24-25

Jesus Christ is our example of what it means to be passionately committed. He is the only one who has ever lived in a perfect state of passionate commitment. He was passionately committed to His Father, and passionately committed to us. Our passion, our zeal needs to be grounded on right principles, right direction, committed to serving the Lord.

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

In order for us to have passion for God we need to have knowledge of Him. To be seeking him in the word and being obedient to His guidance. Placing out trust in Him allows us to be committed to Him regardless of where He takes us in life. Our passionate commitment to God also allows us to have compassion on others. Without passion there can be no compassion. To have a passionate commitment to God means to have faith in something bigger than yourself and to allow Him to change your heart and He reveals himself to you.