The sacrifices were laid upon the altars – two sacrifices – one for the True God and one for an impostor –something inert – made of wood and clay. Voices booming – blood flowing – 450 calling the god of nothing to burn up one sacrifice. Nothing – no answer – no flame – no flicker.
The sacrifice for the True God laid upon His altar so deluged with water, it soaked the wood, the stones, and flooded the trench at the altar’s base. All this so no mouth could say that it was coincidence. Drenched and engulfed with water, a single prayer goes up to the one True God – The Only God. He sent His fire to consume not only the sacrifice placed upon the altar, but the wood, the stones, the dust, and the water in the trench. No accelerants required – no help needed for the hand of God to act. Just the prayer of a believing man – just the expectation of a single man – just a man’s heart set with Him.
(From 1 Kings 18)
Our lives are now lived as a sacrifice upon the altar of His Word, inundated with the cleansing waters of baptism and repentance – then set ablaze and consumed by the fire of the Holy Spirit – not by the works of our hands, but by the cry of our heart.
The more I read the Word, the more I realize what it means to die to my life and take up His cross – to be a living sacrifice for the purposes of the gospel. Although salvation is free, sacrifice is only free if your heart is established with Him. Then, and only then, is it no longer a sacrifice as the world measures sacrifice, but it becomes an honor gladly done.
For both of these questions, think of things that you do on a regular basis. (i.e. tithing, sharing the gospel, media choices, clothing choices, speech choices, serving the Kingdom of God, serving people, etc.)
• What do I willingly do in or for the Kingdom of God with a glad heart?
• What area do I hold back and see as a sacrifice not worth making?
Lord, thank you that Jesus is my perfect sacrifice. I want to continue to grow from a hearer of the word to a doer, completely immersed in the cleansing waters of baptism and repentance as well as be set ablaze by the fire of The Holy Spirit. I confess my weaknesses to You and ask that You help me cultivate my life so that my heart is set with Yours in the area I hold back. I thank You for the areas that I willingly give with a cheerful heart for the Kingdom of God. Truly, You are my strength! In Jesus’ name, Amen.