my sacrifice

In the last chapter of the second book of Samuel we find and interesting story that kind of wraps up the two book intensive story of Samuel and Kind David. Now I have to confess that I have preached on the this chapter a few times and I have only taken it at face value and not done a real in-depth study to see what was really going on. I mainly focused on the last eight verses of the chapter, but the previous 17 verses really lead up to and culminate on those verses.
Here is the story: the pride of David's heart was stirred to take a census of his people for the sake of his own well being. As soon as he had done this he knew that it was wrong, and in verse ten it states that his heart was struck, struck with the pang of conviction, then he immediately repented (funny how that works huh?). The prophet Gad then presents him with three options that the Lord has spoken to him as punishment for his pride; three years of famine, three months of fleeing from his enemies, or three days of pestilence or plague. David chose the three days of plague, God carried out the punishment, and in three days 70,000 men died. Gad then came back to David and told him to go and raise an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. So he complied and when they got to Araunah's place he was just falling all over himself that the king would be there. David explained the visit and Araunah offered all the materials, the wood and the oxen, for the sacrifice at no charge at all. I want you to pay close attention to how David replies to this kind gesture. 2Sa 24:24, "But the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
WOW!!! Here is King David, ruler of God's people, who can have anything that he wants at a whim. I imagine that the offering of Araunah was to some point expected in a sense but no, David refused the free gift because he realized the importance of a sacrifice, he understood the concept that it was supposed to cost him something. So what am I getting at? In Romans 12:1, Paul urges us to present out body as a living sacrifice to God and calls that out spiritual act of worship. So many times I see people in our body and in the Church abroad who are not willing to make simple sacrifices. Their worship is directed towards music, a sermon, a certain book, or even a pastor, teacher, or mentor. What are we doing? Sometimes I feel as if I find myself worshipping the latest method, gadget, or worship song because it makes me feel good, but is that sacrifice? We are so willing to make sacrifices that are not sacrifices at all. Church when it is convenient for you it is not a sacrifice. Look at David he sinned and he knew it, he lived up to his mistake and even picked his own punishment and then he laid down his kingly rights to have whatever he wanted and paid for his sacrifice. One commentator I consulted on this said that this was the greatest chapter about David because he is reminded that he is still a sinner but here is even more so reminded of God's redemption and grace.
Where is your sacrifice today? Sacrifice, surrender, these are words that should be at the center of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Church, as much as I would like it to be, it is not about us. It is not about serving at our convenience or being called to the where we feel most comfortable, it is about seeking out the Lord to see where our sacrifice is. Be brave, be resilient, and have courage that even when the Lord asks you to sacrifice something it is for your best and his glory. He would never ask us to do anything that he has not done before. Remember the cross.
loveandserve
jj