A few years ago I started taking Swing Dancing classes… The challenge in the class came when you had to practice those steps with a partner who had not quite perfected the same move.
1 Kings 8.46-61
Reference: v.61 “But your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands, as at this time.” (NIV Bible)
Explore: A few years ago I started taking Swing Dancing classes. It was so much fun. The instructors would teach you a new step each class and then you’d form a girl’s circle inside the boy’s circle and progressively practice that dance move with each partner. I will never ever claim to be a good dancer but I did find that I would pick up the moves fairly quickly. The challenge in the class came when you had to practice those steps with a partner who had not quite perfected the same move. Being a female I was supposed to let the male lead however it was so hard not to take control when I knew they were leading me in the wrong direction!! It was always such a relief when you came to a gentleman who you knew to be a good dancer and you were able to perform the steps as they should have been.
When dancing, it certainly helps if both partners are moving in the same direction. When it comes to faith, it certainly helps if we are on the same page as God.
You could almost think that Solomon was demanding of God as he asked him to fulfil his promises, and yet he finishes by proclaiming that just as God is committed to us so we too must be committed to him.
Application: Just as it takes two to tango there is also a partnership in our faith. As we read through the scriptures we can see the commitment that God makes to humanity throughout the ages. And his commitment does not stop at the last verse. God will always keep his promises to the very end of the age. But this is not just a one-sided relationship. Our commitment is to dedicate our lives to God and fully devote ourselves to him. That is a partnership. That is both partners dancing in time. That is how we express our devotion to God. God has done so much for us and now it’s our turn to recipricate. We will never be able to repay God for all he has done for us, and he does not expect us to, but if we are to hold firmly to his promises then we too must give our hearts fully to God. That partnership will never let us down.
Prayer: Lord, although I will never deserve it you continue to keep your promises to me. I recommit my heart to you again this day. Amen.
How important is partnership with other believers, as we strive to maintain our partnership with God?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.