Living as a Living Sacrifice Today
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (NASB)
22 “You shall surely tithe all the produce from what you sow, which comes out of the field every year. 23 You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God, at the place where He chooses to establish His name, the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and your flock, so that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 24 If the distance is so great for you that you are not able to bring the tithe, since the place where the Lord your God chooses to set His name is too far away from you when the Lord your God blesses you, 25 then you shall exchange it for money, and bind the money in your hand and go to the place which the Lord your God chooses. 26 You may spend the money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household. 27 Also you shall not neglect the Levite who is in your town, for he has no portion or inheritance among you.
28 “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town. 29 The Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance among you, and the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in your town, shall come and eat and be satisfied, in order that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
SUMMARY
Moses tells the Israelites to tithe from what they sow every year. He also tells them to eat and rejoice in the presence of the Lord at the place God chooses — a place where His name will be established, a place where He will bless them, and a place where they will learn to “fear” the Lord and understand that all that they have sowed comes from Him.
Moses instructs the Israelites in detail on what tithes to bring and how to tithe if God’s chosen place is too far from them. He also exhorts them not to forget the Levite, the alien, the orphan and the widow who are in need. Moses reminds the Israelites to share with them, making sure that everyone can eat and be satisfied, so that God can bless all of their works.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
A few questions arose in my mind as I meditated on today’s verses:
- Am I really going to the “place” that God has chosen, and am I bringing the offerings that represent the best of me everyday? (vv. 22, 23)
If I am right now in the place God has chosen for me, am I trusting God, rejoicing and giving thanks to the Lord? Or, am I complaining, saying that I want to return to where I was (before the pandemic) and that I don’t want to be at the place God has chosen for me right now? (“… and there You shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.” v. 26)
- Am I living in the presence of God? Do I truly acknowledge His sovereignty? (v. 23)
I realized that I am just living day by day, waiting for this pandemic to pass. I’ve been telling myself that once the pandemic is over, I will “really” live my life differently. Later, when I can afford to do so, I will do this and that for God and for the people around me and I will not take anything from God for granted. But right now, I just need to survive.
But God has been telling me over and over again that this is the place that God has chosen for me to live in RIGHT NOW, TODAY. And God commands me to give Him the best offerings, not tomorrow, not only after this difficult time passes, but TODAY is the day!
He wants me to eat, rejoice and help the needy today despite my pain, my insecurities, my fear and my struggles, so that He may bless me in ALL the works of my hand (v. 29).
APPLICATION
I repent for merely getting by day-to-day, waiting for this time to pass as quickly as possible, and in the meantime serving other gods by giving in to the voices of the world that make me feel weak, incapable, inadequate and fearful (Deuteronomy 13:13). I want to actively seek, “investigate, search and inquire” (v. 13:14) what His will for me is right now during this time. Sometimes I don’t even know where or how to begin. I often feel overwhelmed because my quarantined life at home is so chaotic and busy. But God encourages me today that every little step counts! I just need to follow His direction step by step for He is always giving clear and detailed instructions (vv. 24-26). I want to first start by cultivating my personal relationship with God before starting any other work of the day, going to sleep early so I can get up early to read/meditate on his Word, and pray consistently, especially for people who are in need.
PRAYER
Lord, forgive me for feeling justified in idolizing and listening to the voices of other gods just because I am living through a difficult time. Thank You for convicting and speaking to my heart that this is actually the place where You want me to be today. Thank You for always waiting and being there for me, wherever I am. You never leave me alone.
Lord, help me to carefully listen to Your voice that calls me to be at the place that You have chosen. Help me to go there, not just bring my materialistic offerings but to bring myself, a true living sacrifice, keeping all of Your commandments and doing what is right in Your sight (v. 13:18).
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