Elevating Devotion and Commitment to God: Unlocking Your Elevation

Unlocking your Elevation

Introduction

The Bible teaches us that God’s promises are magnificent and precious, and He has declared 2025 as a year of elevation. Anchored in His Word, 2 Peter 1:4 (AMP) reminds us, “For by these He has bestowed on us His precious and magnificent promises [of inexpressible value], so that by them you may escape from the immoral freedom that is in the world because of disreputable desire and become sharers of the divine nature.”

It is imperative to note that one of the things we need to do, or our responsibility is to Elevate our Devotion & Commitment to God. In essence, God has His part in Elevating us this year and His part is already locked it as the scriptures says in His word that not a single part of his word will fall to the ground or fail to be fulfilled, but we also have our part to play.

To align with God’s plans for elevation, we must take our devotion and commitment to Him to a higher level. This teaching is a call to elevate, raise the bar, go higher in your devotion and commitment to God, regardless of your current level, and it explores how believers can unlock elevation through a deeper connection with God.


Scriptural Foundation

The anchor and prophetic word for the year 2025 is based on two key scriptures:

  • Psalm 75:6-7 (NIV) “No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt themselves. It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.”
  • 1 Samuel 2:6-8 (NIV) “He raises poor people up from the trash pile. He lifts needy people out of the ashes. He lets them sit with princes. He gives them places of honor. The foundations of the earth belong to the Lord. On them, he has set the world.”

These scriptures remind us that God is the source of elevation, and our role is to elevate our devotion and commitment to Him.

Our study today is based on one key scripture

  • 1 Samuel 1:9-11 (NIV) “9 Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. 10 In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. 11 And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

What is Devotion to God?

Devotion to God is a heartfelt love for Him, stemming from a personal relationship with Him. It is voluntary, fueled by gratitude, reverence, and an intimate desire to honor and please God. As Psalm 63:1 says, “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” Devotion flows from love and a deep connection with God

Lessons from Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-11):

  1. Pour Out Your Heart to God in Prayer
    • “In her deep anguish, Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.” (1 Samuel 1:10). True devotion involves being honest with God about your struggles and trusting Him with your burdens (1 Peter 5:7).
  2. Recognize God as the Ultimate Source of Help
    • “She made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me…’” (1 Samuel 1:11). Devotion means relying fully on God as your ultimate source of strength, provision, and answers. Refer to the bible study teaching on God’s Role in your Elevation for a deep dive.
  3. Be Persistent and Sincere in Prayer
    • “She kept on praying to the Lord…” (1 Samuel 1:12). Persist in seeking God even when answers are delayed. Emulate Hannah’s sincerity and faith.
  4. Trust God Amidst Adversity
    • Despite her anguish and Peninnah’s taunts, Hannah’s devotion didn’t waver. Trusting God amidst adversity is a hallmark of true devotion.

Devotion vs. Duty to God

Luke 10:38-42 tells the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was focused on duties, while Mary prioritized sitting at Jesus’ feet to listen.

  • Key Lesson: Duty, such as serving in ministry, or community does not substitute for devotion. God desires a personal, intimate relationship with us. True devotion inspires willing and joyful service.

What is Commitment to God?

Commitment is the obligation to fulfill responsibilities as God’s child, driven by accountability and respect for His sovereignty.

Lessons from Hannah (1 Samuel 1:9-11):

  1. Align Your Desires with God’s Will
    • “I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life…” (1 Samuel 1:11). True commitment to God means aligning our desires with His purposes. Even though Hannah was in prayer, which is one of the mechanisms through which we demonstrate and practice devotion to God, she had to come into a place where she realized God also had a need and that need was for a prophet for his people the nation of Isreal. Realizing that in the place of devotion, she reacted by quickly shifting to align her desires with God’s will and purpose and she locked it in by a serious and tangible commitment to God by her willingness to dedicate her son back to God, showing that her devotion prioritized God’s glory over personal gain.
  2. Commit to Keeping Your Promises
    • “If you will give your servant a son, then I will give him to the Lord…” (1 Samuel 1:11). Hannah’s vow reflects her seriousness about her commitment to God. As Believers, we can learn the importance of following through on promises made to God as a sign of devotion and integrity.
  3. Offer Your Best to God
    • True commitment involves a willingness to give God our best and trusting His plan, including what is most precious to us. Like Hannah, we are called to surrender everything to God, trusting in His perfect plan. A similar example is Abraham who was willing to offer his son Isaac to (Genesis 22:1-18).

Practical Steps to Elevate Your Devotion and Commitment

  1. Set Aside Daily Time with God
    • Follow Jesus’ example in Mark 1:35: “Before daybreak, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.”
  2. Eliminate Distractions
    • Choose a quiet time and set reminders to prioritize prayer, worship, and Bible reading to get inspiration and directions for daily living.
  3. Serve Others as an Expression of Devotion
    • Commit to serving in a ministry or helping others in practical ways to demonstrate God’s love.
  4. Be Accountable
    • Share your commitments with a trusted friend or mentor who can encourage and support you.
  5. Raise the Bar
    • If you already have a devotional routine, challenge yourself to go deeper by spending more time with God or engaging in a new act of service.

Conclusion

Jesus said in John 4:23 God is looking for true worshippers, true worship combines both devotion and commitment, as devotion inspires willing commitment. When we prioritize devotion and commitment to God, we demonstrate total dependency on Him and position ourselves for His elevation. As 1 Samuel 2:4-5 reminds us, relying on our own strength or experience without prioritizing God leads to failure, but humility and devotion attract His grace (James 4:6).

Let 2025 be the year you elevate your devotion and commitment to God, unlocking the fullness of His promises and experiencing His divine elevation in every area of your life.