“Absalom had set up a monument and dedicated it to himself in the Kings’s Valley. . .” (II Samuel 18:18).

Dedicated: (Heb. Qadash): To pronounce clean, consecrated, appointed and kept hallowed

That which we love becomes self-evident by our dedication of time, talent and treasure. Absalom loved himself and dedicated his time, talent and treasure to his ambitious goal of becoming King. He usurped his father David’s throne, took his concubines and palace possessions; but in the end died an ignoble death when his hair got caught in the branches of the trees of the forest of Ephraim (cf. II Samuel 18:9,14).

Another son of David, Soloman, also dedicated his time, talent and treasure to building the Temple of the Lord, in fulfillment of his father’s heart of love for God to make a resting place for the Holy Presence of the Lord in Jerusalem (I Kings 7:51; 8:63). “When Soloman finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the Splendor of the Lord filled the Temple. The priests were unable to enter because the Lord’s splendor filled the Temple” (II Chronicles 7:1-2).

What is in your heart to love and dedicate your time, talent and treasure? What attracts your heart to give such devotion? What animates your spirit to pursue such ambitious dreams? Is it to make for yourself a name, to bring you fame, to be raised to a position of power, or to have abundance of wealth? Is your dedication of this earth? For self? For your glory? Or is your heart dedicated to the One you love, to lay down your life as a sacrifice and offering for the glory of God?

There was in the days of Artaxerxes, King of Persia, a Priestly Scribe named Ezra. Ezra was dedicated to the study of the Law of the Lord, to observe it and to teach its Statutes and Judgments in Israel (cf. Ezra 7:10). The King honored his dedication and sent him to Jerusalem to administer the Law in the Temple of God. Dedicated to study; dedicated to live out what he learned; and dedicated to teach the living Word of the Lord. Ezra was truly dedicated to the One he loved.

Today we study the Scriptures because they were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and are useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who is dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work (cf. II Timothy 3:16-17). Dedication to God has its benefits and the greatest of these is Love. Now, you can dedicate your life to Him.

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