Leviticus 14:1-57
Mark 6:30-56
Psalm 40:1-10
Proverbs 10:11-12
Leviticus 14:21 “If, however, they are poor and cannot afford these, they must take one male lamb as a guilt offering to be waved to make atonement for them, together with a tenth of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with olive oil for a grain offering, a log of oil,
If "they are poor and cannot afford these". God does not expect more from us than we can give. This applies to everything. Just as He only asks for a percentage for the tithe He allows for every sacrifice to be proportionate to what he has given to each person. He is talking about a sacrifice here. There are many things that we are called to sacrifice to the Lord. Our time, our talents, our finances, our praise, our pride.
Hebrews 13:15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
He who know all things and provides all things know what we can afford and what we can't. He would never ask us to give what we are not able to give. That does not mean that our giving is always easy. Would it be a sacrifice if it were easy? The sacrifice must first be our hearts surrendered to Him. Then we will be willing to sacrifice even what we think might be difficult. David understood as a man after God's own heart. When David asked Araunah the Jebusite if he could buy his threshing floor to build an alter to God and make a sacrifice to him, Araunah said he could have it and any animals he needed for the sacrifice.
2 Samuel 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
When we sacrifice those things that we may want to hold onto we are showing how much we value God, all that He has provided for us and the sacrifice that He has made for us.
Mark 6:31 Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”
When the disciples traveled with Jesus they too had to sacrifice their time and even their ability to sit and have a meal. But Jesus knowing what they needed and what they could and could not do, knew when they needed rest and provided it for them.
Mark 6:43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish.
When we are in need of anything be it rest, nourishment of body, mind or spirit, God is able to provide it. Not just what we need but an abundance. If we remember what He has done we give Him what we have for His use, He will bless it and multiply it. This also applies to our time, talents, finances, knowledge, words and actions.
Psalm 40:10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
from the great assembly.
We are even called to sacrifice our pride and concern for what others might think. When we do not speak of God's faithfulness and saving help when He gives us the chance to do so we are hiding His righteousness in our hearts. We need to speak of His love and faithfulness not just in small circles that we are comfortable in but even in great groups of people of all kinds.
It should cost something. Maybe just our comfort in the situation. Maybe a friend, group or activity that does not line up with God's word. Some have lost family relationships. Others have lost jobs. And there are those who have been given so much faith that they have lost their lives to speak of God's faithfulness and love.
Our sacrifice is proportionate to what we have. Perhaps right now you feel like you are uncomfortable to speak about Jesus to anyone but maybe other believers. Sacrifice that comfort and ask God to show you people outside your comfort level that He would like you to share with. If you are only spending time with God in an amount of time that is easy for you and does not interfere with any other areas of your life is that a sacrifice? What about your finances. Are you giving just what is comfortable for you to give? Is that a sacrifice? Seek the Lord for guidance and what sacrifices you can make that would be please to Him and know that whatever the cost God knows what you have and what we need and will bless our willingness to give it.
“Many, Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done,
the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
they would be too many to declare.”
This morning as I read the part about Jesus providing rest, for his disciples, touched me, and then I saw Toni had written about the same thing. So I moved onto the next verse that touched me , the verse above also resonated with me, because I think about all of the wonders. Jesus promises to be with us through each and every trial we may encounter, and the trials of this world affect many different areas of our life.
Our health,…