Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, October 9, 2017

Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-10-09-2017

This is devotional thought number 26 in our devotional series, “Removing the Veil: Sanctuary Living in the 21st Century.” Our subject is: Give of Your Best to the Master

Here’s the question for consideration: What must we surrender to God if we ever hope to be transformed into His likeness?

“And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” (Exodus 25:3–8).

Every offering we give to God once we have given ourselves to Him first, are precious in His sight. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1–2).

Have you ever thought about the privilege it is to present yourself to God for His service? With so many nations having blood-stained histories of subjugating entire people groups for the sake of selfish gain and instilling feelings of terror, it is difficult to understand service and sacrifice that is an outgrowth of love. Yet, God loved us so much that He gave His all, in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, to serve us. Then, having empowered us to respond in like principle, He enjoins us to give our all for His use and safekeeping. This is a holy principle, which is foreign to the selfish human mindset.

Did you notice the kinds of things the people of God gave to build the sanctuary? They gave the finest materials, precious metals, precious jewels, extravagant spices and perfumes, and animal products. All of these valuable offerings represent the Person, work, or provisions of Jesus. The royal colors represent His kingship and the holiness of the law of God. The sweet spices could cover the stench of the sacrifices that represented our confession of and repentance from sin. And, of course, the jewels for the breastplate represented Jesus carrying us into the holiest presence of God while providing His beautiful righteousness as a covering for every repentant sinner. All of this, and more, facilitates the God dwelling with us blessing. He was so generous that He allowed His people to participate in exercises that would deepen their understanding of sin, and God’s plan of salvation.

Could it be that our transformation is predicated upon our willingness to sacrifice all to God so God can give His all to us—Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior? Could it be that those precious offerings represent Christ, while the act of giving them represents us surrendering ourselves to God as an ultimate act of worship? Don’t be apprehensive or fearful to give your all to God, without reservation.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)

#theprotestisnotover #sanctuary