Dedication

Preservation By Dedication
“Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and bought gifts. AND THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID WITHERSOEVER HE WENT. And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer…king David took exceeding much brass…of silver…of gold…WHICH ALSO DID KING DAVID DEDICATE UNTO THE LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued…And David gat him a name…and all they of Edom became David’s servants. AND THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID WITHERSOEVER HE WENT,” 2 Sam 8:6 -14.

This is repeated in 1Chronicles 18:5-13 almost verbatim. The reason for this double emphasis is that God doesn’t want us to miss the message. A close look at this text reveals that both in the opening and closing verses, the same words “AND THE LORD PRESERVED DAVID WITHERSOEVER HE WENT” are used. Thus, the blessing of preservation was predicated on David’s acts of dedication. Beloved, nothing comes for nothing.

David was a warrior king. He constantly fought wars and battles. He was frequently exposed to the pangs and fangs of death. But like a cat with nine lives, he escaped every bullet, sword, arrow, trap and all devices of the enemy. He was unsinkable, unquenchable and unstoppable. He lived to an advanced age and handed over the throne to his son, Solomon. He was, “Old and well stricken in years”. 1 Kings 1:1 “And he died in a good old age full of days”. 1 Chronicles 29:28. He died peacefully. The Bible says he slept with his fathers.

In our opening text, it is deducible that beyond preservation, the principle of dedication made David the number one among kings. The Syrians, Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines, Amalekites and Edomites became his servants. In addition, it made him famous and popular “and David gat him a name” 2 Samuel 8:13. It also made him rich and extremely wealthy. The spoils of gold, silver and brass from all these nations were his for the taking.

Why? David discovered the secret power of dedication and he literally lived by it and thrived by it. You can also enjoy what David enjoyed by doing what he did.

Protection Is From The Lord
A former governor in Nigeria was murdered under mysterious circumstances. He was killed in his residence with policemen and other security operatives guarding him.

A top army officer had a serious car crash in which his vehicle somersaulted severally and he was flung unto a tree. When his body was recovered, they discovered charms and talismans for protection all over him. Alas, he had obviously gone to the gods that cannot protect. We have a God that can protect. Let us employ His services.

An Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) was travelling on the highway with a powerful convoy of guards that were armed to the teeth. Yet, he died in a head on collision between his car and another one. In the matter of preservation, the arm of flesh will fail you. Some trust in horses and some trust in chariots but we will put our trust in the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is a strong tower and the righteous run into it and is safe.

The Need For Continuous Dedications
Because David fought continuous battles, dedication for preservation also had to be continuous. When men of the underworld and occult kingdom are lifted either in government, politics or the market place, they return to those altars they originally made sacrifices, to secure and seal their newly gained position. Unbelievers that gain advantages in life through dark powers appear to be far wiser than God’s people. “For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8

The Old Testament priests offered daily sacrifices dedicating the nation unto God continuously. Ezra 3:3&4

Sacrifices Are the Savour That Moves God to Do the Impossible.

The thousands of bulls offered and dedicated to God by Moses, David, Solomon, Ezra, Hezekiah and many others were done in good faith and God rewarded them greatly.

God Will Fight For And Defend Whatever Is Properly Dedicated Unto Him
When Belshazzar began to misuse the vessels from God’s house that were dedicated for God’s service, Heaven reacted and swung into action. Dan. 5:1 – 2

God did not waste time in executing judgment.

“In the same hour came forth fingers of a man’s hand, and wrote over and against. The wall…MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN…MENE, God hath numbered thy kingdom and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and found wanting; PERES; Thy kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” Dan 5:5, 25-28.

In that night was Belshazzar the king of the Chaldeans slain. And Darius the Median took the kingdom.

Thereafter, God stirred up the spirit of Cyrus to proclaim freedom for the Jews to return from Babylon to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple of God. Ezra 1:1, 2.

He also ordered the dedicated vessels to be returned to Jerusalem.
Rev. Theodore Effiong, Assemblies of God Church, Calabar or Prayer To All Nations (PTAN), Prayer City, Calabar. CRS
Email: theoeffiong@yahoo.com
Phone – +234 9030012007, +234 7031921770