Walk in the Word: God's Story of Redemption

Reading Passage: 2 Samuel 24

King David had instructed that a census be taken of Israel and Judah. This stirred God's wrath, and He punished Israel with a severe plague, causing the death of seventy thousand men. But like a true shepherd, David admitted guilt of the census and asked that God's wrath be directed towards him and his family instead of the people. After three days, the Lord ended the plague and instructed him to build an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah had a generous heart and wanted to give David anything he wanted, but David refused saying I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing (verse 24). David knew that if this gift had been accepted, it would have been Araunah's sacrifice, and not his own. He also realized that worship that costs nothing is not true worship at all.

There is always a price to pay when sin is committed. Our commitment to God is often very costly to maintain. It can cost us relationships, habits, etc. We cannot cut corners and expect Him to bless us! "He who has a religion that costs him nothing, has a religion that is worth nothing: nor will any man esteem the ordinances of God, if those ordinances cost him nothing." - Adam Clarke.

The spiritual act of worship means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1). When we begin doing this, not only will it strengthen our faith and inner peace, but it will also increase our joy. Christ spared no expense for us - let us do the same for Him.

Deanna Crist