Preparing your Special Sacrifice (part 1)
This is a season of preparing for General Thanksgiving which we will celebrate on Sunday 22nd September 2013 with testimonies and “special sacrifices / offerings”. The Lord teaches and commands us in His Word to be generous when we come to Him. It is important for each one of us to prepare ourselves for this season, first by reflecting on the reasons why we come to give thanks, and then considering what offering we will bring to the Lord. As part of our preparation, let us reflect on these scriptures:
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which is a blemish, any defect whatever, for that is an abomination to the LORD your God. (Deut 17:1)
I will buy them for the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing. (1Chr 21:24)
The story of David’s sin in counting the fighting men in Israel and the consequent punishment (1Chr 21) is both an admonition and an introduction to the preparations for the building of the Temple. We are warned against counting on human might and power in battles that we should surrender to God, and we are warned against dismissing valuable and helpful advice from subordinates. We are warned against using delegated authority to follow our own ways without listening from the Master the Lord. We also note that confession of sin will always attract God’s attention and forgiveness, but the heavy price as a consequence of sin must be paid. At this point one must say, “I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.” (Ps 119:75)
We furthermore have an example of sacrifice that is real; it must cost one some high price – for David it was the price of a prime piece of land in the capical city! And David longed for a continual worship experience both for himself and for his people, right in the city. Our true worship through selfless giving is still necessary both today and tomorrow.
God bless you.