Today’s Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 24:1-9; 1 Chronicles 21:1-6; 2 Samuel 24:10-17; 1 Chronicles 21:7-17; 2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 21:18-22:19
So David went up to do what the Lord had commanded him. When Araunah saw the king and his men coming toward him, he came and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. “Why have you come, my lord the king?” Araunah asked.
David replied, “I have come to buy your threshing floor and to build an altar to the Lord there, so that he will stop the plague.”
“Take it, my lord the king, and use it as you wish,” Araunah said to David. “Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and you can use the threshing boards and ox yokes for wood to build a fire on the altar. I will give it all to you, Your Majesty, and may the Lord your God accept your sacrifice.”
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it, for I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing.” So David paid him fifty pieces of silver for the threshing floor and the oxen. –2 Samuel 24:19-24
David had just made a mistake that cost 70,000 lives. He was in deep distress as he asked the angel of the Lord to allow His anger to fall on him and his family. So when the time came to offer a sacrifice and prayer to ask God to stop the plague there was no way David was going to let anyone else “pay” for this offering.
How does this fit in today’s world?
Should our worship and service to our God cost us something?
Now that we’re on our third trip through the Bible, I feel safe in saying, it costs to truly serve God. Here are three examples of the many that come to mind:
God required Abraham to leave his homeland and family. (Genesis 12:1)
God allowed Satan to test Job. He lost everything, except his wife. (Job 1)
God gave his only Son Jesus to die for the sins of man. (John 3:16)
What has serving God cost you lately?
What offerings are you giving?
What sacrifices are you making?
- Your time
- Your talent
- Your treasure
Are you enjoying someone else’s offerings and sacrifices rather than actively worshiping yourself?
Heavenly Father, we just want to please You. If there are prices to be paid, show us. If there are costs to be incurred make us willing. Help us to know when You want sacrifice and when you want obedience.
But Samuel replied,“What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifice or your obedience to his voice?
Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams. –1 Samuel 15:22-23
Lord, teach us. We give ourselves to You.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
©2012, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 1 Chronicles 23:1-25:31
