As I was reading my Bible Devotional the other day; I ran across this scripture and literally had to pause.
2 Samuel 24:24 Living Bible
But the king said to Araunah, “No, I will not have it as a gift. I will buy it, for I don’t want to offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing.”
The background to this story is this: The anger of God flared against the people for their consistent sin and rebellion, and the Lord sought to deal with them because of this. God lead David to conduct a censes. A census in itself wasn't sin but the pride to know how many subjects you have was a big no no. David conducts the census after warnings from Joab, his army commander and friend. However, David ignored the warning and forced the hand of the Lord to move. The Lord spoke to the prophet Gad, about his displeasure with David's actions, and sent him with a message of consequences. They were, 7 years of famine, 3 months running from his enemies or a 3-day plaque. David, being the man he was, decided to let himself fall into the hands of the Lord and let him do what he deemed best. With that being said, the Lord chose three days of plaque where seventy thousand men in the nation died. David saw the death angle and cried out to the Lord in repentance and the Lord sent the prophet Gad to instruct David to build an altar on Araunah's threshing floor. Araunah, wanted to give the land and animals for the sacrifice to David but he refused to accept something that had not cost him anything.
I'm blown away by this passage because to the natural eye it looked as if it had costed David seventy thousand of his countrymen. It looked like it cost him the guilt and sorrow for all the families effected by this great tragedy. But David, being the man he was, a man after God's heart, knew how to entreat the Lord. He knew his only hope was in the presence and favor of God. David went the extra mile to love God and show others how important his relationship with God was.
Have you ever seen a person who seems to be going the extra mile with things? What I mean is, they give cards, gifts or prepare meals for others just because- no occasion or reason necessary. They’re being thoughtful. Not being boastful, but I am that type of person. I love for others to feel thought of or to feel special. I like bringing flowers, send random have a good day text messages, or giving small gifts to let people know they are cared for and that they matter.
I think David was so in love with God that he developed this kind of thoughtfulness towards God. He knew that sacrifice was key to coming into God’s presence, so he was willing to go the extra mile to make a sacrifice at no matter the cost.
After David cried out to the Lord, God wanted to meet with David in worship. Side note, I think we are so opposite of what God desires (in our flesh) because after a mistake, usually a small one, we run from God. But here we have a man who made a major mistake that cost the lives of seventy thousand of his countrymen and he went unafraid to worship God. There is so much in this passage to learn. God is concerned about us, even when we mess up and longs to be in a relationship with us no matter what we do or don't do. He is forgiving and merciful, and longing for unbroken, unhindered fellowship with us. God punishes sin but he reconciles us back to himself to keep the relationship growing and thriving.
Other thoughts I had reading this passage was, why this place to worship the Lord? Some commentaries say that this threshing floor was the very place Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice and that these were the same hills where Jesus was crucified on. One thing I've learned over the years is that everything God does is filled with purpose. This place must have been special to God for the death angel to stop there in this very spot and David see him. This wasn’t coincidence, it was all a part of God’s plan. This place had already become a place of sacrifice. I also studied and found that this place also became the site where Solomon built the temple and years of sacrifices were made there. Wow, just wow.
If David would have accepted the field as a gift and not paid for it, the sacrifice would have been the givers sacrifice and not David’s. Learning David’s character from scripture this could never have been acceptable to David. Remember he is now for being, "extra," concerning his God. Whenever real love for Jesus is present a sacrifice accompanies it. Some sacrifices many seem small and insignificant, but nothing is unimportant to God. He honors all we sacrifice to honor him.
What situation have you been in recently or may be in now where you have to make a sacrifice? Maybe you had to sacrifice a getting a job that pays less so you can have Sundays off to attend church or maybe you sacrificed being trendy because you chose to run with those pursuing God and not being popular. Whatever the case may be, know that God honors sacrifice.
I want to encourage you that you'll never make a sacrifice, and God not see it, make note of it and honor it. Over the years I’ve sacrificed much and seen the rewards of it. I remember many years ago, I became a stay-at-home mom so I could be the primary influence in my kid’s life for Christ. I had to count the cost of what changes this would make to our household. My job was the primary income of our home at the time, and I loved working. More than that I loved getting a paycheck. This would mean there would possibly be many things I wouldn't be able to do, buy or go. 20 years later, I can testify I've never missed a beat!!!I've never gone without and never missed attending something due to the lack of funds. At that time, we had two kids and I was expecting baby number three but we went on to have three more kids. I had no peace knowing my kids would spend most of their day at the day care center. The primary influence in their life would be the daycare staff and not me as their mom. My husband and I discussed it and prayed over the decisions that needed to be made and moved forward in faith. We both were in agreement that the best decision for our family would be for me to stay home and nature our children in the Lord.
The first year was the hardest; finances were tight and career girl (me) fought the feeling of loneliness. I knew all the Barney songs and PBS kid cartoon characters. I missed the office environment and my co-workers. I missed adult fellowship! But as time went on I began to embrace this new journey and learned God in many new ways. He taught me how to be a mom and how to pray and get results. My call to intercessory prayer was birthed in that season. I stayed home with my kids for 7 years and when baby 6 went to school I went too. I became a volunteer and then ended up joining the staff. Even though my kids were school age I knew I was still supposed to be there for them and thats what I did. I was only a classroom away and for some years, they were in my class. Those years were priceless. The sacrifice of my career and goals allowed me to build a relationship with my kids that is strong. I got to instill in them our christian faith. They are strong believers and take their walk with God very seriously. They aren’t perfect and make mistakes, but they try really hard to honor God in all they do and that’s all I could ever ask for. I've been rewarded and blessed! I want to note here that the motive has to be to honor God not just for a reward. But honoring him does bring blessings.
This may not be your sacrifice, but you have one that has to be made. Don't allow fear of the unknown stop you from making life altering sacrifices. Joyce Meyers has a book entitled, “Do It Afraid.” That may be the thing you need to do. Make the sacrifice and watch God move. Don't allow fear of the unknown stop you. Many doors have opened to my family and I because we were taught the art of sacrifice as new believers and built our lives around it.
I ask you to search your heart and see what sacrifice you need to make. Pray and ask the Lord for the strength to make the sacrifice and stay committed to it. Things may seem worst before they get better but hold on the reward is coming.