Better Together: Dedicate to the Lord

To dedicate something means to contribute or consecrate. It means to make a commitment, a gift or a pledge. In the Bible, sometimes people dedicated themselves to the Lord. At other times, they dedicated material objects for the purposes of God. Certain people and objects were set apart for special use. The Bible mentions an altar, silver and gold, the Temple, and a wall in Jerusalem as being dedicated to God. On two occasions when God’s people dedicated themselves and their gifts to God, the glory of the Lord appeared in spectacular fashion. The psalmists wanted this glory to last forever. Isaiah and Ezekiel yearned for God’s glory. The glory of God is what brought the shepherds in Bethlehem to their knees: “And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them.” (Luke 2:9) God initiates. We respond. God is glorified. God’s glory fills us with joy. Those who experience the glory of the Lord are truly and completely dedicated to Him. We are so grateful for His favor that we want to return His gifts. We want to offer more than token gifts to the Lord – we want to give significantly.

- Pastor Tom Harrison