a willing sacrifice
Open Your Bible
Nehemiah 11:1-12:26, Philippians 2:21, Romans 12:1
BY Diana Stone
Text: Nehemiah 11:1-12:26, Philippians 2:21, Romans 12:1
At first glance, the exhaustive list of names in chapters 11 and 12 makes for a rather dry read. But pull up a chair, dig in a bit more, and see that in between these listings is the story of great importance to Jerusalem.
You would think as Jerusalem was being finished that people fought over who would live within the walls of the great city they’d built. It would seem obvious that living there would be a privilege. Instead we see that lots were cast over who had to go, and that the people who did volunteer were commended (Nehemiah 11:1-2).
Why is this? First, Israelites were a hated people. Anyone living within the walls could probably expect to be attacked and live on edge. Also, because it was a holy city and contained the temple, the inhabitants would need to follow God’s commandments closely and be examples.
Simply put, living within Jerusalem was more of a bother than a gift to most.
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.”
(Philippians 2:21, ESV)
As I read through these chapters, my heart is struck by how often in my life I am the Israelite unwilling to live in God’s city. I’d rather be outside the walls, no burdens of how to act or expectations to sacrifice comfort. Yet, what God wants from us isn’t a begrudging acceptance of “lot casting.” He wants our hearts, our ability to look at the unknown (and often terrifying) and still say, “Yes Lord. Not my will, but yours.”
Our Lord wants us to accept making our lives a living sacrifice for His kingdom because He knows that what lies ahead for us in eternity is better than anything here on earth.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
(Romans 12:1, ESV)
We can be lot casters. We can enter into His holy city kicking and screaming, pouting for years and wondering, “Why me?” But we can also choose to go willingly, to be the volunteers that love the Lord so much we’d sacrifice the earthly “good” life for the glory of God.
Lord, make our lives a (willing) living sacrifice for your greater purpose. Amen.
67 thoughts on "a willing sacrifice"
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I've also been reading in Zechariah of late where the Lord measures Jerusalem, (no measurement is given, however, for "Jerusalem" is an innumerable host! Jerusalem is THE CHURCH!) A remnant is returning, and the angel of the Lord commands Zechariah to tell the people: “‘For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” Zechariah 2:5.
Nehemiah was to rebuild the walls, not Zechariah, so it is believed here that it is talking about all of US, the Church of the living God! If we do take that step forward, as Diana is speaking of, we will be rewarded with a wall of fire around us and the Glory of the Lord in our midst! It speaks of a city "without walls"…but a wall of FIRE cannot be penetrated! The enemy cannot get through a wall of fire, he cannot harm The Church!
Even better than that, once we are in "the city", we are rewarded with the glory of His presence in our lives!!
John Piper said it best, "God is never content to just give us the protection of His fire, He will give us the pleasure of His presence!"
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I love this! Thank you for sharing! Makes me want to go read Zechariah, too! Oh, and I already was beginning to want to read Ezra. It's a beautiful thing when God's Word and the sharing of His Word begets more desire for His Word! Thank you again!
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I also need to go back and read Zechariah! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Yet, what God wants from us isn’t a begrudging acceptance of “lot casting.” He wants our hearts, our ability to look at the unknown (and often terrifying) and still say, “Yes Lord. Not my will, but yours.”
Our Lord wants us to accept making our lives a living sacrifice for His kingdom because He knows that what lies ahead for us in eternity is better than anything here on earth.
The sufferings of this present life is nothing compared to what we will gain in Gods glory. Sisters we just have to make up our minds, live according to His will. We study the bible here as a group and thats where it all lies. Let us follow the instructions daily into living a life free from sin. A life in which we are made living sacrifices, holy and acceptable before God. Examples to the world that they may see our light and come to worship the Father in heaven. It is possible for we serve a God of impossibles. Dont fear, live right, do it right and let not our will but His will be done in and through our lives.
Have a wonderful day ladies. God bless you all.
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God loves a cheerful giver. We are to serve without grumbling or complaining. It’s all in His Word. Yet for me anyway, this is where it sinks in – where the rubber meets the road. Let me live in God’s way willingly – not forcibly.
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What a difficult passage to "teach" or "learn" from! I have often wondered why God gave lists and lists of names in Scripture. How does that teach us who He is? How does that teach us how to live? But what if the lists and lists of names are God's encouragement to each of us individually? He knows your name and mine. Where we may be just one in a list of names to the world around us and after us, He knows His plan and purpose for each of us. He knows how you and I fit into His redemptive plan. He knows the sacrifice (living in Jerusalem). He knows the responsibilities (going back to other towns). He knows us and has called us individually. To perform the sacrifices. To work on the outside maintenance of His house. To stand at the gate and watch for attackers. Praise God, I am not just another name to Him! His purpose and plan for each name, each position, is His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Your name matters. My name matters. HIS name matters above all, no matter whose name is in the list. Thank you, Father, for choosing me! In Jesus' Name.
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Awesome
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Well said
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I've always groaned (usually out loud) when I come to these passages that are seemingly endless lists of names and have also wondered what the point is. You're spot on in your comment and I've never thought of it that way. Thank you for sharing your insight. Now I'll try to look at those long lists with greater appreciation and try to see my own name there. Feeling so grateful that my name really does matter to God.
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Ooh, I like that” … seek it, even when I do not want it …” It does make me reflective, though …looking back on my life there is nothing that I could not write a page of things to be thankful for. I may NEVER want to go through them again, but the gain is immeasurable. Age DOES have its rewards!
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We just finished a series at church on loving our neighbors, and one of the points was that we are where we live because God has a purpose and wants us here. Not what I want to hear, because I hate the city and would sacrifice a lot to live in a rural area, away from traffic and neighbors and noise. We've been searching for property for years now, but have seen nothing that meets our needs.
I want God's will for my life, but so many times I find myself asking for caveats; "but only if I can have…" Or "as long as I don't have to do…"
Your will, not mine, Lord. Help me to seek it, even when I don't want to. Help me to choose your path when I am content to cast lots and take my chances.
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I was just think that same thing! That God has put me here because he wants me here. My struggle is with starting a family, because of my job I need to wait a bit before we start, but I am very impatient for that day to arrive. Today I just had to remind myself, Your will Lord, not mine.
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Amen, drasch… how hard this is for all of us. To focus on the Lord's will, and not our own. Forgive me for my own caveats, Lord! Make us fearless to let you lead us where we are to go– and help us to know that being with you is ALL that will EVER matter in this life.
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What an interesting perspective Diana took on today's passage. Are we volunteers or lot casters? I try to be a volunteer, but it is a daily struggle. I struggle with things that seem like they should be such easy choices.
The passage from Romans is convicting. My pastor often talks about being living sacrifices – climbing onto the altar each day. But how many times a day do I crawl down off the altar? I constantly pray for God to help me climb back on the altar. I truly do awning to follow and live for Christ, and I want God to use me for His kingdom. So what holds me back? Fear (of what others might things, what else I might be missing out on). Selfishness. Pride. Laziness. But when I think about what I could gain: Confidence! Fulfillment! Humility! Acceptance! Joy! Why would I ever want to go it alone again?
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Gid has not given us the spirit of fear, but of love and of power and of a sound mind.
What lies ahead of us in eternity, is wayyyy better than anything here on this earth. -
So true, Bethany! I m constantly crawling down off the altar to peek outside the door of the Holy of Holies and check on what's going on out in the streets – what else I might be missing out on, as you would have it.
It is so hard to remember that I have all the best things when I am as close to Him as I can get. Then, and only then. -
Amen, Bethany. I'm praying we'd all have the courage to seek what GOD wants for us, not what we want for us… and to give up those things in us that go against His will for us. Lord, make us holy, pleasing sacrifices to you. We can only do it with your strength, intimacy with you, your presence. Work in us, Lord Jesus. I praise you for that. Amen.
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….But we can also choose to go willingly, to be the volunteers that love the Lord so much we’d sacrifice the earthly “good” life for the glory of God…….Please May I say ….forgive me, those who disagree…..but this 'call' is easier said than done….. we probably all have the young man who approached Jesus' attitude in us,(Luke 18:18-23) ……this is a big ask…..in this world and culture…and interestingly enough even back then, as the Israelites cast lots…….what we have worked for, what we have accomplished, what we have gained….seems so very hard to part from/with….these status' are what define us….(to us) or what we have been brought up to believe, you go to school, you learn and work hard, your reward will be a good job and all you need and want in life……“For they all seek their own interests,…….. not those of Jesus Christ.” this call has to be a mind set…a whole hearted, soul giving, I trust you Lord, I believe in you with all I have, kinda mind set….and how many of us have that…..I'm not making excuses, this is truth, for us al,l there is something that we would hold on to ……if like the man, who approached Jesus…we were called to give all ……
We follow Jesus. ……We love, adore, respect and worship Him….We know deep in our hearts what He has done for us….Thank you Jesus….We believe in the Almighty God…. We do our good, better, best……but we will always fall short…But God….Our Amazing, forgiving, trusting, loving God sees us, in our falling short, and still calls us to be willing sacrifices, ….He gives us the choice….for His purposes…..Lord, make our lives a (willing) living sacrifice for your greater purpose. Amen….
Thank you Diane for this….definitely called to account today in my choices in life….
I've rambled on as usual…..sorry sister's…..God bless you all, And I pray He guides you in love, whatever your day is looking like…..Love Tina.x xxx
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Tina you are on point for it is reality. Let us however not forget that we are never alone and the Holy Spirit the comforter resides in us for we are the Temple of God. How we live is a choice. We can possess these earthly things and still serve God whole heartedly. We can love and serve Him so much that if these things are lost our praises are not affected. It is how much value we place on these compare to the God who gave them to us. As you say, it has to be a mindset and it can be developed by everyone of us, through our willingness. Let us develop that mind set and watch the Lord bring us through and present us without spot and blameless before His throne. God bless you.
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God bless you too Kimone…..and thank you…..x x
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I had a similar thought as I read, Tina – most of these people who volunteered must have left family land, family expectations, and some even family relationships to do what they were called to do. It's harder than it seems, for sure!
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Blessings Essiejean…Thank you for your encouragement….x x
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Wow. This is a huge call, to place the Lord before all of ourselves… the verse "For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 2:21) definitely convicts me, as today I had an opportunity to further and work for the kingdom of God but slunk away from it out of fear and disbelief, choosing to only build my own kingdom instead. Lord, forgive me for neglecting your house, your temple… forgive me for refusing to be in your wonderful city. Lord, change my heart and mind to live more fully for you in all things– EVERYTHING is dust, I am dust, we are dust, and it's all yours. Show me what YOU want, no matter what it means for me. Praise you, God. Amen.
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AnnaLee, I like that….show me what you want, no matter what it might mean to me…..yes indeed Praise you Lord God…AMEN…..x x x
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