March 26
The priest from among Aaron’s sons, who is anointed to succeed him, shall offer it to the Lord as decreed for ever; Leviticus 6:22
In this chapter God gave Moses instructions about how offerings to Him were to be prepared and by whom. Moses understood that through all the rules and regulations God was being honored. In addition, these instructions established an order in the clan/community, and were measures that ensured health and safety among the people. Repeatedly, Moses carried the instructions from God to the people. He reminded them that everything they had came from God, and following God’s command he demanded they make Holy offerings to God as he was instructed. The regulations were strict and clear and there could be no deviation from them without consequences. What is most striking to me in this passage are the words, “for ever.” What was offered to God then and now, is for always.
Think about life today and the many small ways we offer to God what is ours. Acknowledging that everything in our lives are His gifts to us, we offer up to God our families, our homes, our work and our tithes and we seek His blessings on them. But do we really comprehend that once these are offered up to Him that it is for always? If it happens that we lose any of these valued gifts, are we willing to give them up and allow them to return to God freely? That is the challenge to us. I remember when my children were little hearing that they were “on loan” to us from God. The older I got the better I understood this – that each relationship is temporary and knowing that first hand, so cherished. In Faith we believe that what we have has come from God and will return to Him one day. In Faith we know that whatever sacrifice we make for God and is prepared with a sincere heart, is His always. In Faith we are comforted with this knowledge for it is our hope that one day, after our earthly obligations are complete, we all will go back to be with Him, for ever.
Oh God, all we have, we offer to you!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
The priest from among Aaron’s sons, who is anointed to succeed him, shall offer it to the Lord as decreed for ever; Leviticus 6:22
In this chapter God gave Moses instructions about how offerings to Him were to be prepared and by whom. Moses understood that through all the rules and regulations God was being honored. In addition, these instructions established an order in the clan/community, and were measures that ensured health and safety among the people. Repeatedly, Moses carried the instructions from God to the people. He reminded them that everything they had came from God, and following God’s command he demanded they make Holy offerings to God as he was instructed. The regulations were strict and clear and there could be no deviation from them without consequences. What is most striking to me in this passage are the words, “for ever.” What was offered to God then and now, is for always.
Think about life today and the many small ways we offer to God what is ours. Acknowledging that everything in our lives are His gifts to us, we offer up to God our families, our homes, our work and our tithes and we seek His blessings on them. But do we really comprehend that once these are offered up to Him that it is for always? If it happens that we lose any of these valued gifts, are we willing to give them up and allow them to return to God freely? That is the challenge to us. I remember when my children were little hearing that they were “on loan” to us from God. The older I got the better I understood this – that each relationship is temporary and knowing that first hand, so cherished. In Faith we believe that what we have has come from God and will return to Him one day. In Faith we know that whatever sacrifice we make for God and is prepared with a sincere heart, is His always. In Faith we are comforted with this knowledge for it is our hope that one day, after our earthly obligations are complete, we all will go back to be with Him, for ever.
Oh God, all we have, we offer to you!
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson