God Promises to Honor Your Commitment

Psalm 31:5 Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.
 
PERHAPS this is the greatest statement of commitment in Holy Scripture. You’ll also find these words in Luke 23:46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Later Peter assured the persecuted church, “Those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” (1 Peter 4:9) Commit means to deposit in trust. You may “deposit” or give someone your allegiance because you know you can trust him to help, encourage and honor you. You know one you trust will always welcome you into his home.
   This is God’s response to those who commit to him. David expressed the depth of his sorrow in v 11 Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends – those who see me on the street flee from me. Certainly Jesus as fully man in agony on the cross knew even a deeper sense of abandonment. Early Christians – and those in peril today from persecution – face this turmoil daily. Are you in such a place? Do you know people who are? How do we know God’s promise to honor our commitment when he can seem so distant?
   When one experiences such depth of despair, the only direction is up toward God. We can remember v.1 in you, O LORD, I have taken refuge. In faith, you know he will answer your prayer, “Let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.” You can remember how God has committed to you when you believe he will turn your ear to you. He will answer your prayer and come quickly to rescue you because he is your rock of refuge. He is your strong fortress to save you. He will do so for the sake of his name lead and guide you.
   Looking up to God,  you believe he will free you from the trap that is set for you. Tell him, “I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction. You knew the anguish of my soul.” God hears your voice. Listen for his voice to comfort, inspire and empower you.
   The psalm continues with many more expressions of David’s suffering and of his faith to believe God promises to commit to those who honor him. God delivered David from his enemies. God raised Jesus from the dead. Indeed, the LORD God honored their commitment to him. But what about the martyrs of the early church? What about the martyrs and afflicted ones today? What about those – perhaps you – who wait on God to release their affliction? Has God, is God honoring those who commit their lives to him?
   Jesus says this about honoring you in John 10:27 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” The LORD of Life has committed himself to you. The cross tells us so. From the depths, look up to the cross, so you can see the one who commits his life to you. Look up to his faithful church. Look up. Vs 23 Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. 24 Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.