Pain In The Offering

E-Book PDF: Open in New Window | Download

And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

2 Samuel 24:24 KJV

Please read all of 2 Samuel 24

Araunah tried to give away his land, livestock and equipment. David carefully wrote out the bill of sale and paid the full price for everything. David offered his sacrifice and God accepted it. In a moment, David’s tears changed from sorrow to joy.

The pain in David’s offering was not the money he paid. David paid a substantial financial sum for Araunah’s farm, but cash wasn’t a problem. David’s hurt came in facing his own error and sin. Repentance cost the most in David’s sacrifice.

Our offerings to God ought to cost us something. Often, we are blessed to give from the abundance of God’s blessings. Too often, our offerings require that we dig into our souls and surrender things we’re rather keep: lazy comforts, arrogant self-righteousness, willful disobedience.

When we sacrifice those deeply held things, it hurts. When there is pain in the offering, that means you are being open and serious with God and yourself. In the long run, the hot tears and burning heart are a good thing.

Think : God wants a real sacrifice from me.

Pray: “Lord, help me to sacrifice those things that keep me from You.”

Copyright © August 2010, Kirk Hunt