Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 50:7-15
Ps 50:7-15
7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. 8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. 9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."
Rom 12:1-2
12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.
What can we give God that does not already belong to him? What sacrifice can we make that gives him any benefit? All of our praise and all of our worship does not make him any better or any more the Supreme God in heaven. All that is in the world already belongs to him because he created it and by the power of his Son it has been sustained. God is the one who feeds the animals.
The wealth we enjoy is merely a gift from God. It does not matter how much we may have or how much we sacrifice to worship God, we are only giving back a small portion of what he has provided to us. Jesus said the widow who gave two small coins gave more than the wealthy who gave large sums of money.
What we can give God that does honor him is to give ourselves. Our faith that is shown in genuine submission to his will is the best sacrifice we can offer to God. The only thing that makes this sweeter is when it comes from a heart of love and pure devotion. Jesus is LORD and we must allow him to live in us daily.
Heavenly Father I am so thankful for all you give me. Help me remember that each time that I help someone (whether it is time, money or encouragement or whatever it is) that in so doing I am giving to you an acceptable sacrifice. Be with your people in Afghanistan and China, as well as so many other counties where they are being persecuted for their faith. Give them your strength and your peace as they put their trust in you. Help me put you first in my life as I show your love and share your saving grace. Thank you for my health and help me use my body to worship and honor you in all I say and all I do. I humbly pray in Jesus name.
Robert
