Day 15

a willing sacrifice

from the a willing sacrifice reading plan


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.

15
Post Comments (67)

67 thoughts on "a willing sacrifice"

  1. Miranda says:

    God simply wants me + a willing heart. So simple but so much easier said than done. And how we're supposed to sacrifice our bodies to be holy and acceptable to God — wow. God made me so of course I should be treating my body well, but so often I forget! He loves me still through all my iniquities and sins… He can use me still! Praise God!

  2. Tilly Jane says:

    Just like Christians are now a commonly hated people. Anyone living "inside the walls" of God – Being a Christ Follower can expect to be attacked, either by other people or Satan and live on edge – ready and waiting (building/working with one hand and bracing for the attack with the other). Also because when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we become "a holy city" and a temple of God. Gods' children (the inhabitants of the Kingdom of God) need to follow God's commandments closely and be an example and a shining light to those who live on the outside of the wall.

    Simply put, living as a Christian – a Christ Follower – is more of a bother than a gift and blessed privilege to most.

    1. Miranda says:

      Amen!

    2. Estela says:

      Thanks Tilly that helps understand this passage and people.

    3. AnnaLee says:

      Amen, sister. This insight is well appreciated! Praise the Lord for you.

      1. Absolutely! It is tough… big time!!! I agree that we need to be that shining light in this dark world.

  3. Gema Muniz says:

    Such a great teaching this morning, this area is one that I struggle with greatly, many times I find myself not wanting to live inside the gates of Jerusalem. I look outside the gates and see how so many people seem to live a carefree life without any rules, without having to question their every move. Many times I want to throw in the towel and say I can make decisions on my own, why must I always consult with God or try to think about how my decisions affect others.

    But then God provides me with clarity, he reminds me of the many times in which he has protected me from making bad decisions, and how has guided me to greener pastors. Is easy to get caught up in the worldly things, in wanting to please ourselves and not wanting to deal with the consequences afterwards.

    But sisters let's remember that God always wants the best for us, even when at the moment we pout and complain about living inside the gates. God reminds us and shows us how great it is to live inside the gates, to live under his protection. I pray for God to never allow me to forget his greatness and to never allow me to walk away from him, since I so easily forget everything he has done for me. I pray for my SRT sisters as well any of you that may be dealing with my same struggle. God bless all of you.

    1. EssieJean says:

      Gema, all of your comments have been so encouraging to me today. Thank you so much for being here :)

    2. AnnaLee says:

      I agree with EssieJean. Praise God for you, Gema! "But sisters, let's remember that God always wants the best for us…" As I went to sleep last night in a makeshift bed (family friends were in town, and they got my bed to sleep in), I watched my cat and dog fall asleep lazily against each other. We've just gotten my cat, and we prayed that the Lord would bring peace between the two animals as they both acclimated to living in the house– dogs and cats usually don't get along very well, and we thought at best they'd tolerate each other. They are now the sweetest, silliest pets together, and both of them sleeping so close without problems just completely spoke about God's great faithfulness to me, to my family, to all of us. In that moment last night, I said to myself, "The Lord will give me every good thing. He feeds all of his creatures at the proper time, and those who love the Lord lack no good thing." (Psalm 37:4, Psalm 136:25, Psalm 34:10). It was so sweet to actually live that out… trusting in the Lord looks hard at times, but He truly does want to give us the very, very best. Father, help us to see your consistent faithfulness in all things; help us to dance for joy at all the beauty you've given us. Praise you, God. I pray this little witness story encourages whoever reads it! Be blessed, sisters. Follow His lead; He will lead you to greener pastures. Praise Him. :)

      1. Thank you, Gema! I love that reminder that God always wants the best for us. I am guilty of forgetting all of the things He has blessed me with so far when I complain about wanting more or not knowing what lies ahead. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Just last night, I was questioning if our recent move to CA was a good one considering all that has happened since we've been here. There have been good things that have happened (birth of our twins) along with bad things that have happened (my husband's work issues, closer to family issues). As I read today's lesson, I was reminded how maybe I've been more of a lot castor instead of a willing volunteer. My mindset since we've been here is, "Do we really need to be here in this place?" All along, I should be saying, "Let's do this!" We are getting ready to make yet another move fairly soon at some point. My husband is changing careers and it's both exciting and scary as we don't know where God is leading us. Having six children, we've often felt worry about whether God will provide for us with this next move. But God is laying it on our hearts to make this move. Instead of worrying about the future, I need to trust that God will take care of us and go where He sends us.

    1. Gema Muniz says:

      Amen, I'm praying for you this morning Carrie. I understand it can be scary, but we need to stop focusing on what we want and seek God more. Pray and he will guide you, don't be afraid to do what you feel God is telling you to do, because no matter what he will provide. We never like to live in the struggle, but these are the moments in which we see God's grace the clearest. Take this opportunity to pray as a family and allow everyone to see how God will glorifies himself. Rember we live through faith not through sight. God bless!

      1. Thank you Gema! I needed to hear your wisdom!

    2. AnnaLee says:

      Praying for you now, Carrie! May the Lord give you peace and bless you throughout this big, chaotic transitional time. He will provide every good thing for you! Don't be troubled; He is very faithful to give you what you need as you press into Him. You are loved, Carrie. Remember that and be at peace, at rest. Love you.

      1. AnnaLee, You've been a great encouragement to me! You are so right! He will provide. Thank you for your words!!!

  5. Ioneem says:

    Will you pray for my husband and I. He had a knee replaced and it is doing fine, but he had a horrible reaction to the drugs. He comes home today and I need super strength and wisdom to care for him . May God bless each of you and thank you, Diane for your study today.

    1. Gema Muniz says:

      Praying for you.

    2. AnnaLee says:

      I will definitely be praying, Ioneem. May the Lord give you wisdom, insight and strength to help your husband heal and recover. I pray it'd bring you closer in your marriage and in your family (if you have one). May you use this time to be not only a caring wife, but a loving servant for the kingdom of God. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…" (Col 3:23). Be blessed, friend!

  6. Diane says:

    Many times I have said similar complaints to The Lord."I didn't sign up for this!" Is one I remember saying recently. Yet, it is in this confession that I find HIM, Jesus, waiting to hear me, to help me.I don't think the trials of this life will ever be finished until we see Jesus face to face. For it is in the crying out to him that I find the courage to stay in my Jerusalem. it is here that I receive mercy to be able to rejoice in the midst of the battle.Today, once again I pray, Dear Lord have mercy on me so I may stand before you and not fail your calling on me.
    AMEN

    1. Gema Muniz says:

      Amen! I join you in your prayer because too often I feel the same way. May God provide us with the strenght to continue doing his work on earth until we see him face to face.

    2. AnnaLee says:

      "For it is in the crying out to him that I find the courage to stay in my Jerusalem." The Lord has been speaking to me a lot about "staying in my city" or at least cities in general, while armies go off to war… father, give me wisdom to know what exactly this "city" is and how you would want me to work within it. Amen.

  7. Valanne says:

    Let's just stop at "but we can choose to go willing". I need to repent from my digging my heals in, slow acceptance of assighments, and reflect on how abundantly the Lord has blessed me in the work He has called me to do.

    Next time my hand should fly up in the air, "choose me". Change my heart Lord to be a front runner for your Kingdom work.

    1. AnnaLee says:

      Amen Valanne. Father, forgive me also for digging my heals in– whether it'd be because of fear, laziness, or doubt– when it comes to living in Your city and doing Your kingdom work. I pray Valanne's prayer as well, father: Change my heart and mind, Lord, and make me a front runner for your kingdom work as well.
      It can be so easy to talk about wanting to do the work, but like this study has so clearly said, there comes a time when you need to hunker down and DO the work. Father, give me boldness for the planning and for the follow-through.

      1. Valanne says:

        AnnaLee you are so faithful to try and read our post and respond. Thank you. I pray that you and I, all our SRT sisters grow greatly from this study. It's such a good one!

  8. Morgan says:

    I about fell asleep while trying to read the passage. No lie. :) I struggled to apply it, so I moved onto the devotion and was floored. Go figure. I love what Diana did with this passage, to pull out how we can begrudge our place in the Holy City or we can embrace it. If that wasn't me even a year ago, still longing to get out of the suburbs and into the country, to own more property, raise my kids differently, etc. And by the grace of God he's worked my heart over to where I'm embracing where I am and thrilled to start a Bible study in my neighborhood. He has us in places for a reason, though it may take us YEARS to see why. And I wonder if sometimes we won't even know the "why" on this side of heaven. I don't know why I've been given a child with Down syndrome, but I understand the "what" behind it: to glorify God in the way we love Bear and point him to the Lord. I liked that as the priests and Levites were brought back, some of their roles were described and others weren't…a reminder that sometimes our faithfulness is the act that matters, whether or not our role is clearly defined for us.

    1. Candacejo says:

      Your last sentence is out of the park! Amen!

    2. AnnaLee says:

      Thank you for this, Morgan!! As Candace said, your last sentence is really eye-opening… whether we understand it or not, are we being faithful to the Lord in all things? Definitely something to check my heart about. Praise Jesus for your insight. Have a great rest of your day, sister.

    3. LaurenC_ says:

      So well said. Thank you for sharing your insight!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *